Nichols Martin
A joint venture between Boeing and Bell Helicopter aims to begin the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft’s midair refueling trials in early 2019 to achieve full service capability in 2020, AIN Online reported Wednesday.
The effort to include a refueling function in the Osprey aims to eliminate the reliance of the U.S. Marine Corps‘ Air Combat Elements on carrier-based U.S. Navy refuelers.
The joint venture selected Cobham in 2016 to construct the aircraft’s aerial refueling system that builds on the FR300 Hose Drum Unit.
The Navy recently awarded a $4.19 billion contract modification to Bell-Boeing for multiple variants of the Osprey, including 14 MV-22B units that will feature the aerial refueling system for the Marines.
The V-22 aerial refueling system is currently exclusive to the Marines.
