US Navy expects newest COD carrier
The first CMV-22B Osprey, built by Boeing and Bell Textron, completed its first flight operations at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Centre. The CMV-22B is the latest variant of the tiltrotor fleet, joining the MV-22 and CV-22 used by the US Marine Corps and US Air Force.
The US Navy will use the aircraft in its carrier onboard delivery (COD) system to replace the C-2A Greyhound which has the capability of transporting up to 4.5 t of personnel, mail, supplies and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea.
Bell Boeing designed the Navy variant specifically for carrier fleet operations to increase fuel capacity for the extended range requirement, from 1,593 km to 2,130 km. Bell Boeing will deliver the first CMV-22B to the air test and evaluation squadron (HX) 21 in early 2020. (ah)