Bell Boeing Delivers First Fleet CMV-22B to United States Navy

Bell #boeing Delivers First Fleet #cmv22b to United States NavyFirst #cmv22b for fleet operations arrives at Naval Air Station North Island

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, California, June 24, 2020 – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and #boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first #cmv22b for fleet operations to the U.S. Navy on June 22. The V-22 is based at Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

“This first fleet delivery marks a new chapter of the V-22 Tiltrotor program providing enhanced capabilities and increased flexibility to the U.S. Navy as they conduct important operational missions around the globe,” said Shane Openshaw, #boeing vice president of Tiltrotor Programs and deputy director of the Bell #boeing team.

This aircraft is the third overall delivery to the U.S. Navy. Bell #boeing delivered the first #cmv22b at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in February for developmental testing, followed by a second in May. The Navy variant V-22 will take over the Carrier Onboard Delivery Mission, replacing the C-2A Greyhound.

“We are thrilled to bring the Osprey’s capabilities as a warfighting enabler and its ability to provide time sensitive logistics to the men and women deployed around the world in support of U.S. Navy operations,” said Kurt Fuller, Bell V-22 vice president and Bell #boeing program director.

The #cmv22b and C-2A greyhound conducted a symbolic passing of the torch flight in April.

“The CMV-22 will be a game-changing enabler to the high end fight supporting the sustainment of combat lethality to the carrier strike group,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Dewon Chaney, Commodore, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing. The multi-mission capabilities of the CMV-22, already recognized, will be realized in Naval Aviation's Air Wing of the future. The arrival of this aircraft is the first of many steps to that becoming reality.”

The #cmv22b carries up to 6,000 pounds of cargo and combines the vertical takeoff, hover and landing (VTOL) qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft.

Bell #boeing designed the Navy variant to have the expanded range needed for fleet operations. Two additional 60-gallon tanks and redesigned forward sponson tanks can cover more than 1,150 nautical miles. The #cmv22b also has the unique ability to provide roll-on/roll-off delivery of the F135 engine power module, enhancing the Navy’s readiness.

For more information on Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace.