The Bell Boeing V-22 Programme, a strategic alliance between Boeing and Bell Helicopter Textron, announced that it has submitted its proposal to the US Navy for a second multi-year procurement (MYP II) contract for the production and delivery of V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

The five-year, fixed-price incentive proposal would provide the US Marine Corps and US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) with the full complement of Ospreys outlined in the Department of Defense programme of record and yield double-digit percentage savings over a single-year procurement strategy. In addition, the proposal will fortify Osprey production through 2019.

“Bell Boeing is very pleased to respond to the Navy’s request for proposal for a second multi-year contract for V-22 Osprey production,” said John Rader, Executive Director, Bell Boeing V-22 programme. “In an era that demands greater fiscal responsibility, the MYP II contract would enable us to deliver this revolutionary capability to our customers in the most efficient way while generating additional savings for the American taxpayer and bringing strength and stability to the industrial base.”

The V-22 Osprey is a joint service, multi-role combat aircraft that uses tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. With its nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, its nacelles can be rotated to transition the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

More than 145 Osprey tiltrotors are currently in operation. Marine Corps MV-22s are currently deployed in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit supporting contingency operations, while AFSOC CV-22s are deployed in support of ongoing Special Operations missions.