Bell-Boeing start CMV-22B production
 

Bell Boeing to start production of the COD variant CMV-2BB for the Navy. It is replacing the legacy Grumman C-2A Greyhound...

Bell Boeing to begin U.S. Navy CMV-22B production work under $4 billion contract - Bell (news)

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cheers

Can they squeeze in a few for the RN?

From here : CMV-22B Osprey | NAVAIR - U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command - Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Research, Development, Acquisition, Test and Evaluation
"As compared to the MV-22B, the Navy variant has extended operational range, a beyond line-of-sight HF radio, improved fuel dump capability, a public address system for passengers, and an improved lighting system for cargo loading. The CMV-22B will be capable of transporting up to 6,000 pounds of cargo/personnel to a 1,150 NM range.
The CMV-22B is expected to field with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and deploy for the first time (projected) in 2021.

Weight: Max. gross, vertical take-off: 52,600 lbs. Short take-off 57,000 lbs (testing in progress to increase)
Airspeed: Cruise: 269 knots
Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters).
Range: 1,165 nautical miles
Crew: 4 – pilot, copilot, crew chief, second aircrewman; 23 passengers

Not to minimize the work, but it does sound quite similar to the MV. Should cut down on surprises. I don't think the main cabin has pax air- at least in the MV, so ceiling may be seldom reached.

Could they replace the Hawkeye too with some radar version?

that was proposed at one time under the marines program called TOSS about10 years back.
using taillift door as the antenna fixing point.

So what is the RN going to use as a COD?

CMV-22B
 

First flight
 

it completes its first flight

Bell Boeing CMV-22B Osprey Successfully Completes First Flight - Bell (news)


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i'm somewhat struggling to imagine what a COD aircraft can bring to a carrier that a Chinook and a 40,000 ton RFA thats 2 miles away can't?

F-35B engine?

Chinook gearbox?

two dozen 500lb Paveways?

with a top range of 1000 miles or so, a CMV-22B isn't exactly blue water navy capability either - indeed i'd be interested to see the working that shows a UK operation in the last 40 years (or any other time period you can think of) where a Carrier group on operations could be supplied from land by a CMV-22B but not by Chinook...

Quote:

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i'm somewhat struggling to imagine what a COD aircraft can bring to a carrier that a Chinook and a 40,000 ton RFA thats 2 miles away can't?

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Indeed, why can't the QE and PoW carry those things itself? They're big old ships, and with only a dozen or so F-35Bs set to be embarked at any time there must be plenty of space for spares and the like.

The CMV-22B had additional fuel for an extended range capability of 1, 150 n miles, but your point is a good one.

Rather smart looking in the white and gray scheme. Guess I'll be seeing more of these- I live near Norfolk, Virginia and am quite accustomed to C-2, E-2, F/A-18's, H-60's and the very distinctive sounding MH-53 which you feel more than hear....

Good explanation of the needs for the Greyhound and CMV-22B here:

https://www.airspacemag.com/airspace...rey-180973131/

BTW, a bit confused by this little tidbit in Sandiego's post:
Why would a vertical takeoff aircraft require that? Surely if it's capable of a vertical takeoff, it can land at the same weight, or am I missing something?

I am presuming, as with the Harrier, it can do a rolling take-off at far above its vertical landing weight.

Cokecan et al.
What can't it bring? Anything or anybody you didn't think about pre-deployment. If we had an infallible crystal ball or unlimited LIMs of course you could have the RFAs stocked against any possibility. The real world isn't like that….

And with the shared supply network, the other users would be pissed off to find the spares were all stockpiled halfway across the Indian Ocean.

I am reminded of the past where RAF Rapier units couldn’t find any spares in the system - to find one army unit had taken about a dozen, which weren’t shown in the database, and had them stored away in a cupboard just in case they might need them in the future....

Safe landing weight is often well less than takeoff weight. Also important if one of the two engines is lost (Osprey has emergency cross shafting where one engine can turn both prop-rotors) where dumping fuel quickly would be desired. You always want a good power/weight margin especially at sea for waive offs etc.

Was not the Greyhound designed around special weapon sizes?