The First Production V-22 Was Delivered On May 24, 1999

The V-22 team recently delivered its 400th aircraft, a CV-22 for US Air Force Special Operations Command. The first production V-22 was delivered on May 24, 1999, and today deliveries occur under the Multi-year Procurement III contract valued at $5 billion. That contract runs through 2024 and includes variants for the Marines, Air Force, and Navy, as well as the first international customer, Japan. “I want to thank everyone who has made the V-22 successful for their hard work and dedication to the women and men who operate the Osprey,” said Shane Openshaw, vice president of Tiltrotor Programs and deputy director of the Bell Boeing team. “We’re focused on building and s

USNTPS Requires An Intense 11-Month Course Of Instruction

One of the most respected test pilot education programs in the world, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), held a graduation ceremony for Class 157 at USNTPS’ hangar June 5, 2020. Thirty-four students successfully completed an intense 11-month course of instruction for designation as Engineering Developmental Test Pilots, Test Flight Officers, and Test Engineers. Rear Adm. John S. Lemmon, Commander of Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and Assistant Commander for Research and Engineering at Naval Air Systems Command, delivered the keynote address. The Class 107 graduate is former Chief Test Pilot and Commanding Officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron

MEA Aircraft Is A Certified, Highly-Missionized Version Of The King Air 350

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) was awarded an order for two additional Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). SNC has been the prime systems engineer and integrator for the MEA fleet since 2009. “We are honored that Customs and Border Protection continues to entrust SNC with the development of this mission-critical aircraft,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s Integrated Mission Systems business area. “These aircraft have proven to have the endurance and special mission systems uniquely suited to meet the challenges of protecting the United States border.”