11:07 GMT, December 9, 2008 The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) today announced that Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office is being awarded a $55 million contract to convert nine MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft from Block A to Block B configuration.

Designed to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a turboprop airplane the V-22 Osprey is a multi-mission, military tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to perform missions like a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. The V-22 was developed by Bell Helicopter in partnership with Boeing Helicopters.

The different variants of these aircraft includes CV-22A and CV-22B (USAF) as well as MV-22 Block A and Block B (Marine Corps).

The US Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey Block B has proven itself in Iraq. The Marines Tilt-Rotor Squadron 263 flew more than 2,500 sorties during its seven-month deployment, with each of its aircraft flying an average of 62 hours per month.

The MV-22 Block A are used for training while the Block B series aircraft are also deployed. The first Block B aircraft, which was delivered to the Marine Corps in December 2005, boasts more reliability than the initial Block A and introduces a ramp gun, hoist and refuelling probe. The Block B aircraft also has a modification of the EAPS (engine air particle separator) which seems to have caused the fire accident on the Block A VMMT-204 aircraft on November 2007.

The Corps plans to spend roughly €33 billion ($42 billion) on 345 Ospreys, which equates to approximately €93 million ($119 million) for each aircraft.

“The Marines Corps’ optimum force mix of MV-22s and CH-53Es is the most efficient and most effective means of carrying the required combat troops and equipment into battle, allowing for the most rapid build-up of combat power,” the Corps said in a press release.

Recently, also four CV-22 Ospreys from the 8th Special Operations Squadron completes their first operational deployment supporting Exercise Flintlock 2009 in November in Bamako, Mali.

The converting work is expected to be completed in May 2009.

(Photo: 3rd Marine aircraft wing)

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See also:

Osprey completes first operational deployment 'beyond everyone's expectations'
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/4180/

Marines Report Osprey Has Proven Itself in Iraq
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/497/