Navy Orders an Additional CMV-22B Osprey COD Aircraft

An CMV-22B Osprey, attached to the Blackjacks of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21), lands on the flight deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), July 18, 2020. U.S. Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lyle Wilkie

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has ordered an additional CMV-22B Osprey carrier-onboard delivery aircraft, according to a Dec. 9 Defense Department contract announcement.

The Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, was awarded a $170.4 contract modification by the Naval Air Systems Command for the CMV-22B and for the exercise of options the for V-22 Common Configuration Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) Lot 4 requirements and for planned maintenance interval inspections, repairs, shipping and storage containers and tooling in support of the V-22 CC-RAM program,” the announcement said.

The Navy’s CMV-22B replaces the C-2A Greyhound for the Carrier On-Board Delivery (COD) mission. Its mission is to transport personnel, mail, supplies and cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea. Forty-four of the 48 Navy program of record aircraft will be delivered under the June 2018 multiyear procurement contract.

The CMV-22B differs from the MV-22B by having a high-frequency radio, extra fuel capacity, improved fuel dump capability, improved lighting for cargo handling and a public address system. The aircraft can carry up to 6,000 pounds up to a range of 1,150 nautical miles. It is capable of internally carrying the F-135 engine power module for the F-35 Lightning II.

The CMV-22B made its maiden flight on Dec. 19, 2019 at Bell Flight’s Amarillo, Texas assembly facility and later flew to Naval Air Station Patuxent River to continue flight testing in February 2020. As of November 2020, seven CMV-22Bs have been delivered to the Navy.

Operational Test and initial operation capability are scheduled for 2021; full operational capability is scheduled for 2024.