Bell-Boeing JV Taps Cobham to Develop Aerial Refueling System for Osprey Aircraft

A joint venture of Boeing and Bell Helicopter has awarded a contract to Cobham to build an aerial refueling system for the U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

Cobham said Tuesday the V-22 Aerial Refueling System will be based on the company’s FR300 Hose Drum Unit and will support Osprey’s capacity to refuel F-35B Lightning II and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft while in-flight.

Kevin McKeown, vice president and general manager of Cobham’s mission systems segment, said VARS will work to extend the flying range of Marines’ fighter aircraft and address the efficiency of shipboard operations.

Cobham will design and produce VARS at the company’s Davenport, Iowa-based facility.

VARS deliveries will begin in 2018 after system analysis and tests, Cobham noted.