Latest Osprey variant features new weather radar, improvements in electronic warfare systems, situational awareness and aircrew comfort

The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter,a Textron [NYSE: TXT] company, has announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has taken delivery of the first MV-22 Osprey produced with the new Block C suite of design upgrades.

“The on-time, on-budget delivery of our first Block C aircraft is the latest milestone in our ongoing quest to make world’s most revolutionary aircraft even more advanced,” said John Rader, executive director of the Bell Boeing V-22 Program. “Going forward, Block C Ospreys will give our current customers enhanced mission capabilities, while presenting an even more compelling value proposition to future domestic and international customers.”

The V-22 Block C design upgrade offers a host of advantages over previous variants. A new color weather radar system improves the crew’s ability to navigate in poor weather conditions while a redesigned Environmental Conditioning System improves cockpit/cabin air distribution to enhance aircrew and troop comfort. Expanded capacity and effectiveness built into the Electronic Warfare system – including additional chaff/flare dispensers – increases the Osprey’s ability to defeat air-to-air and ground-to-air threats. The Block C design also improves cockpit and cabin displays, providing greater situational awareness.

“We continue to increase the capabilities of this first-of-type tiltrotor, and Block C is the latest, evolutionary step,” said Marine Corps Col. Greg Masiello, Joint V-22 Program Manager, Naval Air Systems Command. “Whether it’s the addition of weather radar, upgrades to the environmental control system, or improvements for situational awareness, Block C brings enhanced capability to pilots, maintainers, and crew that improve the V-22 throughout its life cycle.”

Bell Boeing press release