The CMV-22B, a variant of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor built by Boeing and Bell Textron, successfully completed its first flight in Amarillo, Texas, this week. The aircraft is intended to replace the U.S. Navy’s C-2A Greyhound fleet, providing personnel and cargo transport from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea. The CMV-22B is powered by Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C engines, has a cruise speed of 269 knots and will be capable of carrying up to 6,000 pounds. It can seat four crew and 23 passengers.
“With the ability to travel up to 1,150 nautical miles, the CMV-22B will be a lifeline for our servicemen and women out at sea,” said Vice President of Boeing’s Tiltrotor Programs and Bell Boeing V-22 Program Director Kristin Houston. “The quality and safety built into this aircraft will revolutionize the way the U.S. Navy fulfills its critical carrier onboard delivery mission.”
The Bell-Boeing team was awarded a contract to manufacture 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the U.S. Navy in July 2018 as part of a larger $4.2 billion V-22 purchase. The first CMV-22B is scheduled to be delivered to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 for developmental testing early this year.
Urban mobility.
The VTOL capability will no doubt add flexibility, but it has 4,000lbs less payload capability vs a Greyhound. 2 for 1?
I think the idea is to be able to land on any ship that can land a helicopter, not just carriers.
Is it just me, or does it look like a re-worked Short Skyvan?