 |
| Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey (File Photo) |
By AARON MEHTA
WASHINGTON — Japan has officially decided to procure the V-22 Osprey for its military tilt-rotor requirement, as well as the Global Hawk unmanned surveillance system and E-2D Hawkeye command and control aircraft.
The choice of the Osprey, while widely expected ever since the country laid out a requirement for 17 such aircraft in its National Defense Program Guidelines, released in April, may have political ramifications for the government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The choice of the Osprey was announced on the Ministry of Defense’s website Friday. There does not appear to have been any other competitors for the competition.
Designed by Bell Boeing, the V-22 is a tilt-rotor, multi-mission transport aircraft capable of moving 24 combat troops, 20,000 pounds of internal cargo or up to 15,000 pounds of external cargo. It is used primarily by the US Marines, which has a standing requirement for 360 MV-22 units around the world. US Air Force Special Forces currently operate 32 of the CV-22 variant.
In a statement, Boeing spokeswoman Caroline Hutcheson said the Bell Boeing team was “honored” by Japan’s selection and pledged to work with the US government to arrange the foreign military sale portion of the agreement.
Read the full story at DefenseNews