'Aerial Refueling Capability The Next Thing' For The Aircraft, Official Says

The U.S. Marine Corps is working on a modification to the V-22 Osprey that will turn the tilt-rotor aircraft into a tanker, according to officials.

Maj. Douglas Thumm, plans officer for the V-22 at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. said in a statement that "the aerial refueling capability is going to be the next thing," for the aircraft.

The Marine Times reports that the prototype for the system was first flown in August, 2013. For that test, the Osprey flying with tanks and refueling hose was followed by an F/A-18C and an F/A-18D while the V-22 "safely deployed, held stable, and retracted the refueling drogue" according to a Boeing news release at the time.

Thumm said the tanker system is a roll-on, roll-off modification that can be temporarily installed on the aircraft, giving it the capability to switch between different types of missions.

Both Bell and Boeing declined to answer specific questions about the modifications.

(Image provided by Bell/Boeing)

FMI: www.marines.mil