Japan becomes the first export customer of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor
(defensa.com) The Department of Defense has announced the signing of a contract for the Joint Office of Bell-Boeing project with the Government of Japan for the sale of five V-22 Osprey convertiplanes worth 332.5 million of dollars. This represents the formalization of Japan as the first export customer for this aircraft ahead of Israel, which have temporarily suspended their acquisition.
Recall that in May the Security Cooperation Agency and Defense (Defense Security Cooperation Agency, or DSCA) notified Congress of the possible sale of 17 convertiplanes Japan V-22 Osprey and associated equipment for 3,000 million dollars. Therefore, the signing of an initial contract for only five of these aircraft could mean that the contract has been revised downwards or to be developed in several sections of this would be the first.
It specifies that 17 Osprey be the MV-22B Block C version, the latest version of the tiltrotor, which has a new weather radar associated with a moving map that can provide weather information and also enables the identification of vessels. Also it includes a new air conditioning system and electronic warfare equipment and enhanced self-defense and a new cabin with upgraded panels color.
The Osprey combines the benefits of an airplane as its high cruise speed around 480 mph but with the ability to land and take off vertically. These capabilities serve for Japan to support amphibious operations, one of the objectives of its current defense budget in addition to play humanitarian missions or aid following natural disasters. Besides Japan already it has the Izumo, the first of two helicopter carriers from which will operate the Osprey.
Back to bottling my Grenache