The US Navy has announced the initial operational readiness of the CMV-22B transport tiltrotor. This means that the device was recognized as fully suitable for combat missions. CMV-22B has already completed its first mission, and it was successful.
Bell and Boeing have developed the CMV-22B based on the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor to replace the outdated C-2A Greyhound carrier-based transport aircraft. Greyhound have been in service with the US Navy since the sixties. They help the military deliver fuel, lubricants, provisions and spare parts to aircraft carriers.
The CMV-22B differs from the V-22 Osprey by the conformal fuel tanks of increased volume, which are located on the sides of the fuselage. This made it possible to increase the range of the transport tiltrotor. Also, the cargo compartment of the aircraft was adapted for transporting jet engines of the F-35C fighter, which do not fit into the Greyhound.
The CMV-22B took to the skies for the first time in January 2020, and in February the US Navy received the first tiltrotor. In total, Bell and Boeing must supply them with 44 such aircraft.
On February 18, the US Navy announced the initial operational readiness of CMV-22B. Officially, he received this status on December 14 last year. He confirms that the device is ready to perform the logistical tasks for which it is intended.
The first CMV-22B mission took place last summer. The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson participated in it, as well as squadrons of F-35C and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye . He completed it successfully. The military reported that so far they have received 14 tiltrotor planes. The CMV-22B should reach full operational readiness in 2023.
Earlier we wrote that the American special operations forces are going to replace the V-22 Osprey, on the basis of which the CMV-22B were developed, with new aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing.
Vasilisa Chernyavtseva
