First Bell Boeing CMV-22B Osprey Delivered for US Navy’s Aircraft Carriers

Bell Boeing has delivered the first CMV-22B Osprey to the US Navy which will be used for transportation of personnel and cargo to aircraft carriers at sea. 

“The Navy has received the first CMV-22B Osprey built by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, and Boeing. The latest variant brings proven tiltrotor capabilities designed specifically for carrier fleet operations,” the company said in a statement Friday.

“The CMV-22 Osprey brings expanded capabilities not only to the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) mission but to the high-end fight. We are anxious to get it to the fleet and show off its immense capabilities and agile flexibility.” said U.S. Navy Capt. Dewon Chaney, Commodore, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing.

The CMV-22B has the ability to carry up to 6,000 pounds and cover more than 1,150 nautical miles. It is the only aircraft that can land on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier with the F-35C engine power module safely secured inside its fuselage and provide roll-on/roll-off delivery. Expanded sponsons (a projection on the side of a plane) have increased fuel capacity and enable the CMV-22B to provide enhanced logistical capability, the company claims.

The CMV-22B accomplished its first flight in December 2019 and on Feb. 2, the first developmental test model arrived at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD to continue developmental testing. Over the last several months, the Navy and Marine Corps team has been working and training together at MCAS Miramar in preparation for CMV-22 deliveries.

The US Navy selected the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey to replace the C-2A Greyhound fleet for its carrier onboard delivery mission of transporting personnel and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea. The CMV-22B will initially be based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego and later at Naval Air Station Norfolk.