OSPREY EYES THE COD: US NAVY CARRIER ONBOARD DELIVERY (GOD) REQUIREMENT DRAWS IN THE V-22

摘要

Combat Aircraft evaluates the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey as a contender for the US Navy's next-generation Carrier On-board Delivery aircraft. THE US NAVY has quietly been conducting an assessment of the Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey to evaluate its potential to operate in the important Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) role, supporting its Carrier Battle Groups at sea. An analysis of alternatives has now been completed as the Navy embarks on a process to replace its existing, valuable fleet of 35 ageing C-2A Greyhound COD aircraft. With a number of upgrades having already been undertaken on the C-2s, a replacement competition looks increasingly likely. The current Greyhounds are due to be retired by around 2031, and the fleet C-2s have just undergone a service life extension program (SLEP) that will keep them serviceable until at least the mid-2020s.