DTN News: Rolls-Royce Awarded Contract For U.S. Navy CV-22 Spare Engines

DTN News: Rolls-Royce Awarded Contract For U.S. Navy CV-22 Spare Engines

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including U.S. DoD issued August 16, 2010 - No. 727-10 & U. S. Air Force website

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, U.S. - August 17, 2010: Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $23,178,898 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0060) for the procurement of 12 AE1107C CV-22 spare engines.

Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in December 2011.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

CV-22 Osprey: This report covers the first comprehensive data taken by DTN News.

Mission

The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Its mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

Features

This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position

The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor, and other advanced avionics systems that allow it to operate at low altitude in adverse weather conditions and medium- to high-threat environments.

Background

The CV-22 is an Air Force-modified version of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The first two Air Force test aircraft were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in September 2000, for flight testing. The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M., began CV-22 aircrew training with the first two production aircraft in August 2006.

The first operational CV-22 was delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command's 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., in January 2007. Initial operating capability was achieved in 2009, with a total of 50 CV-22 aircraft scheduled for delivery by 2016.

General Characteristics

Primary function: Special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply

Power Plant: Two Rolls Royce-Allison AE1107C turboshaft engines

Thrust: More than 6,200 shaft horsepower per engine

Wingspan: 84 feet, 7 inches (25.8 meters)

Length: 57 feet, 4 inches (17.4 meters)

Height: 22 feet, 1 inch (6.73 meters)

Rotary Diameter: 38 feet (11.6 meters)

Speed: 277 miles per hour (241 knots) (cruising speed)

Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)

Maximum Vertical Takeoff Weight: 52,870 pounds (23,982 kilograms)

Maximum Rolling Takeoff Weight: 60,500 pounds (27,443 kilograms)

Range: 2,100 nautical miles with internal auxiliary fuel tanks

Payload: 24 troops (seated), 32 troops (floor loaded) or 10,000 pounds of cargo

Unit cost: $89 million (fiscal 2005 dollars)

Crew: Four (pilot, copilot and two enlisted flight engineers)

Date Deployed: 2006 Initial Operational Capability: 2009

Inventory: Active force, 12; Reserve, 0; ANG, 0