Bell Boeing recently approved the conversion of the previously awarded V-22 tiltrotor aircraft contract to a fixed-price-incentive-fee multiyear contract, providing for the manufacture and delivery to armed forces divisions.
Officials said the $4,191,533,822 revision clears the way for 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the Navy; 14 MV-22B aircraft for the Marine Corps; one CV-22B for the Air Force; and four MV-22B aircraft for the government of Japan.
“Bell Boeing is pleased to extend production of the V-22, supporting our warfighters with one of the most versatile and in-demand platforms in the U.S. arsenal,” Chris Gehler, Bell vice president for the V-22 Program, said. “This multiyear production contract provides program production stability through at least 2024.”
Navy officials said the service branch would use its new CMV-22B for transporting personnel and cargo from shore to aircraft carriers, eventually replacing the C-2 Greyhound, which has been in service since the mid-1960s.
“By combining aircraft for three services and a key U.S. ally into one multiyear order, the U.S. Navy gets more capability for its procurement dollar,” Kristin Houston, vice president of Boeing Tiltrotor Programs and director of the Bell Boeing V-22 Program, said. “It also enables the U.S. Navy to begin advancing its carrier onboard delivery fleet with modern tiltrotor aircraft. It’s a true win-win.”