Boeing and Bell Launch Exciting Enhancements for Air Force CV-22 Nacelles

The initial Air Force CV-22 Osprey earmarked for nacelle enhancement modifications reached Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center on September 21. This aircraft is a segment of a continuous initiative by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) entity, along with Boeing (NYSE: BA) (collectively known as “Bell Boeing”) to elevate the Osprey’s dependability and maintainability for the Department of Defense (DOD).

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) granted Bell Boeing an $81 million agreement in December 2020 to finalize Nacelle Enhancements on the CV-22 fleet. The agreement encompasses the completion of unique elements, fabrication of nine kits, and installation of one kit. NAVAIR has an optional period to extend fabrication and installation through 2025.

“We collaborated closely with our DOD partners, including service members who maintain these groundbreaking aircraft, in crafting the targeted enhancements within the nacelle to boost readiness rates while minimizing sustainment expenses,” stated Kurt Fuller, V-22 program chief and Bell vice president. “Bell Boeing engineers devised innovative solutions to cater to fleet demands and enhance the maintainability of the V-22 using direct customer insights.”

Nearly 60 percent of maintenance labor hours are allocated to the nacelles. Bell Boeing successfully devised over 1,300 new V-22 part numbers aimed at enhancing reliability and maintainability of the nacelles while concurrently shortening repair durations. These enhancements are anticipated to boost aircraft availability and decrease maintenance intervals.

The MV-22 utilizes the same nacelle architecture as the CV-22, enabling the Bell Boeing team to obtain feedback from NAVAIR and fleet maintainers before modifications commence on the first Air Force aircraft. Bell Boeing will execute the CV modifications in Amarillo and Fort Worth, Texas, with plans to finalize the upgrades across all CV-22 aircraft by 2025.