Navy Orders Additional CMV-22B Tiltrotor Aircraft with Advanced Avionics
April 2, 2025
In a significant enhancement of its naval aviation capabilities, U.S. military officials have placed an order for five additional CMV-22B tiltrotor aircraft, including advanced avionics systems with radar features. This order, valued at $590 million, was revealed in March and is being executed through the Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office (JPO) located in Amarillo, Texas.
The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, operating from Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland, has tasked the Bell-Boeing JPO, a collaborative effort between Bell Helicopter and Boeing Defense, Space & Security, with the production of these aircraft.
Combining Speed and Versatility
The CMV-22B Osprey employs advanced tiltrotor technology, merging the vertical flight capabilities of helicopters with the speed and range typically associated with fixed-wing aircraft. This aircraft is equipped with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) as well as short take-off and landing (STOL) functionalities, making it ideal for long-range, high-speed missions.
Designed to fulfill the future carrier onboard delivery (COD) role, the CMV-22B will replace the Northrop Grumman C-2A Greyhound, which currently operates for cargo and personnel transport to naval carriers from land-based facilities.
Features and Enhancements
The CMV-22B boasts numerous improvements over its predecessors, including:
- A sophisticated weather radar system for improved navigation and safety
- The ALE-47 airborne countermeasures dispenser system for enhanced electronic warfare capabilities
- Upgraded hover coupling features and enhanced environmental conditioning systems
A Versatile Aircraft
The V-22 Osprey is renowned for its multirole capabilities, serving both rotary-wing and fixed-wing roles. It can take off and land vertically and hover like a helicopter. Once in flight, it smoothly transitions to a turboprop aircraft, achieving high speeds and altitudes.
Production of the five CMV-22B aircraft will take place across multiple locations in Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, and Utah, with an expected completion date in January 2028.
For Further Information
To learn more about the CMV-22B and related technologies, you can visit:
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