Karen Walker
Most people have heard about the phoenix that rose from the ashes - but what about the Osprey?
Salesmen for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor admit that one of the most common reactions they come across as they market the aircraft outside the US is surprise that the V-22 is still around. "So many people think this programme was cancelled," says Bob Torgerson, manager of international business development at Boeing's helicopter division.
In fact, after almost being killed in 1989 because of lack of funding by the US Department of Defence, the Osprey has made a remarkable comeback. It is now alive and kicking and rolling off the production line for the US Marine Corps.
That is the message Bell Boeing will be emphasising during Farnborough.
Available
With the aircraft becoming available to overseas buyers from 2001, salesmen are keen to reach the international audience that the show provides
In particular, Bell Boeing believes that the V-22 is tailor-made for two UK requirements - the Future Amphibious Support Helicopter (FASH) and the Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) aircraft. FASH will replace 37 Westland Sea Kings operated by the Royal Navy on behalf of the Royal Marines. Torgerson says that down select should occur in 2003 and contract award in 2004 for an initial in-service date of 2006.
"This fits the V-22 schedule very well," says Torgerson. "There is a good dialogue between us and the UK Ministry of Defence."
The FASH operational requirement is to carry 24 troops or a 6,800kg (15,000lb) payload 90km (50nm) to support an over-the-horizon assault from a ship. Torgerson says these requirements are close to those for the USMC's MV-22s so no upgrades would be needed and matching the specification will be "a piece of cake," says Torgerson.
Torgerson admits that the biggest challenge is that the V-22 will be up against the GKN Westland/Agusta EH101, which he describes as "the home team". But he believes the US aircraft comes with distinct advantages. "This comes down to a competition between conventional helicopter technology and new technology," he says. "The V-22 goes twice as far, twice as fast as a state-of-the-art helicopter.
"That's our story. If you are paid to win wars, then this is the aircraft that will do the job because in a war, time and speed are the ultimate advantages."
Competition
The V-22 will also be up against the EH101 in the UK's FOAEW competition, a longer-term requirement for which the Ministry of Defence is expected to put out a request for information by 2002. In both competitions, Bell Boeing will be emphasising the British participation in the V-22 programme. Some 12 UK companies have business worth a total of more than $2 billion in the V-22.
They include Westland, Lucas Aerospace and Dowty. The US Marines Corps will begin taking delivery next year of 360 MV-22s, an assault-transport version of the aircraft.
The US Air Force, meanwhile, is taking 50 CV-22s, a long-range, special operations variant. The US Navy has a requirement for 48 HV-22s, but has yet to place an order.
There might also be a combat rescue requirement for the Air Force further down the road.
Source: Flight Daily News
