DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Bell Boeing Awarded Contract For 99 V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Bell Boeing Awarded Contract For 99 V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor Aircraft

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 13, 2013: The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. [NYSE: TXT] and Boeing [NYSE: BA], has been awarded a five-year U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) contract for the production and delivery of 99 V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, including 92 MV-22 models for the U.S. Marine Corps and seven CV-22 models for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.

Valued at approximately $6.5 billion, the contract is structured to provide nearly $1 billion in savings to the U.S. government compared with procurements through single-year contracts. The contract also includes a provision permitting NAVAIR to order up to 23 additional aircraft.

"Signing this contract speaks volumes towards the confidence our services have in the V-22 Osprey," said Marine Corps Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 Joint Program Office program manager.  "Since 2007, the V-22 has been continuously forward-deployed in a range of combat, humanitarian, and special operations roles. Ospreys continue to transform our Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force and Air Force Special Operations by enabling missions not possible with conventional aircraft, and helped save lives where others could not."

The V-22 Osprey is a joint service, multirole combat aircraft that uses tiltrotor technology to combine the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane with the vertical performance of a helicopter. With its nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, its nacelles can be rotated to transform the aircraft into a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

"The versatile V-22 Osprey is the ideal aircraft for an era when global militaries are being asked to do more with less," said Vince Tobin, executive director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program. "It gives operators the ability to achieve groundbreaking operational efficiencies and maximize the use of precious resources like time, money and personnel.  This contract will enable us to most efficiently build and deliver this aircraft to current and future customers around the world."

More than 200 V-22 Ospreys are currently in operation and the worldwide fleet has amassed more than 185,000 flight hours, with half of those hours logged in the past three years.

About Bell Boeing:

Bell Boeing is a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. and Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex,Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:        

Bill Schroeder
Bell Boeing V-22 Program
817-600-4209
wschroeder@bh.com

Andrew Lee
Boeing Vertical Lift Communications
610-291-6670
andrew.h.lee2@boeing.com

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
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DTN News - SOFIC NEWS: Bell Helicopter Features Revolutionary Aircraft At SOFIC 2013

DTN News - SOFIC NEWS: Bell Helicopter Features Revolutionary Aircraft At SOFIC 2013

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bell Helicopter
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 14, 2013: Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today its participation in the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) held May 14 to May 16 in Tampa, Fla. Bell Helicopter will feature an armed Bell 407 on static display, its first commercially qualified armed helicopter, a CV-22 model and 3-D interactive programs demonstrating the capabilities of the V-22 Osprey and Bell V-280 Valor.

"SOFIC provides an important opportunity for us to spend time with current and potential customers," said Mitch Snyder, executive vice president for military programs at Bell Helicopter. "Our new 3-D programs give attendees the opportunity to experience the unmatched capabilities of the V-22 Osprey and Bell V-280 Valor. In addition, the armed Bell 407 on static display shows customers the versatility this aircraft offers with its various weapons configurations."

The V-22 Osprey is combat-proven and performs missions no other aircraft can approach. Tiltrotor is the only vertical lift platform capable of rapid self-deployment to any theater of operation. The V-22 is one of the safest rotorcraft in the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps fleet with more than 170,000 flight hours and outstanding operational performance. With its revolutionary combination of speed, range and vertical lift, the Osprey is changing the way wars are fought, humanitarian aid and critical supplies are delivered, and heroes are saved.

Introduced at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) annual form and expo, the Bell V-280 Valor is Bell Helicopter's offering for the Joint Multi Role (JMR)/Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Technology Demonstrator. Its unmatched capabilities - speed, range and payload - and its operational agility deliver the best value at the lowest technical risk. With 280 KTAS cruise speed and a combat range of 500-800 nm, the Valor provides twice the speed and twice the range of the current medium helicopter, more than doubling operational reach. The Bell V-280 is a true force multiplier as a result of its capabilities, covering more than five times the area of a current MEDEVAC and requiring smaller support infrastructure and security.

The armed Bell 407 includes the advanced technology of the best selling Bell 407GX. Built on the proven Bell 407 platform and designed for military and parapublic operations, the aircraft encompasses performance, reliability and maintainability. The armed Bell 407 is capable of performing a wide range of missions, configurable for multiple weapons and surveillance packages, including mini-guns, rocket pods, multi-sensor camera and NVG capabilities. The armed Bell 407 offers excellent hot and high performance, a spacious, multi-mission capable cabin with 85 ft3 (2.4 m3) of useable volume that accommodates six passengers, and a standard bi-fold door with a 61 in (155 cm) opening for quick, easy loading and unloading.

SOFIC's 2013 theme, "Strengthening the SOF Bond," provides a forum for military, government, academia and industry stakeholders to network and discuss current and future challenges and how to best support U.S. Special Operations Forces in four key areas: preservation of the force and families, human domain, support of the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and innovation. Events include a business opportunities session, networking reception, USSOCOM Component Commander panel, USSOCOM Senior Enlisted Advisors panel, gala reception, dinner and awards presentation.

About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

About Textron Inc. 
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget; difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers' ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.

Contact

BILL SCHROEDER
817-280-3100
mediarelations@bh.com
Online Media Kit

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Bell Helicopter
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ~ UAE, Saudi Arms Deal An 'Advance For Israel'

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ~ UAE, Saudi Arms Deal An 'Advance For Israel' 

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Jerusalem Post & Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 20, 2013: A complex $10 billion arms deal in its final stages would strengthen two key Arab allies – the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia - while maintaining Israel's military edge, US defense officials said Friday.

"This not only sustains but augments Israel's qualitative military edge in the region," one of the officials said, ahead of a trip to the Middle East by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. "This package is a significant advance for Israel. ... This is about giving all three partners in the region added capacity to address key threats that they may face down the road."

The announcement comes amid mounting concerns over Iran's nuclear program, with little progress reported at talks this month between Iran and world powers. US officials concede that crippling sanctions have so far failed to force concessions from Tehran, which insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

Israel has renewed warnings it reserves the right to resort to military action to stop what it says is Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Hagel is preparing for his first trip to Middle East since taking office in February, planning to visit Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE; he was expected to continue discussions about the arms sale at stops along the way.

The deal, more than a year in the making through a series of coordinated bilateral negotiations, would result in the sale of V-22 Osprey aircraft, advanced refueling tankers and anti-air defense missiles to Israel and 25 F-16 Desert Falcon jets worth nearly $5 billion to the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia also would be allowed to purchase weapons with "stand-off" capabilities - those that can be used to engage the enemy with precision at a greater distance, defense officials said.

The deal marks the first time the United States has offered to sell tilt-rotor Ospreys to another country, and the "stand-off" weapons would give Saudi Arabia and the UAE a more advanced capability than they have had in the past, said the defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"This is one of the most complex and carefully orchestrated arms sale packages in American history," one of the officials said. "That's not just because of the kinds of equipment that we're providing to Israel and Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. It's also a reflection of intensive defense shuttle diplomacy."

Defense officials touted the arms deals as the culmination of US President Barack Obama's effort to find a way to boost the military capabilities of key Arab allies in light of the threats in the region while still fulfilling the US policy of maintaining Israel's military superiority.

Officials said the Congress had not been formally notified of the arms sale as part of the approval process. That will come once the different countries finalize their purchase decisions and submit formal letters of request.

While the arms negotiations with the different countries were carried out bilaterally, defense officials said they had been transparent with all sides about the effort to boost the military capacities of all sides to address regional threats.

Sources familiar with the arms sales plans said Israel had asked to buy five or six V-22 Ospreys, built by Boeing Co and Textron Inc's Bell Helicopter unit, at an estimated price of about $70 million apiece.

The UAE also is interested in purchasing the tilt-rotor aircraft, which takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies like a plane, the sources said. But that sale is likely to be included in a separate deal.

The United States sold Saudi Arabia 84 F-15 jets for $29 billion in 2010, planes that are now beginning to roll off the assembly line and undergo testing, officials said.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Jerusalem Post & Reuters
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - MV-22 OSPREY NEWS: Osprey On Duty in The Philippines

DTN News -  MV-22 OSPREY NEWS: Osprey On Duty in The Philippines

Source: DTN News 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 3, 2013: An MV-22 Osprey prepares for takeoff for a night low-altitude training mission on Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines, Jan. 24, 2013. 

The crew, which is conducting day and night low-altitude training, is assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. 


The MV-22 Osprey’s mission for the U.S. Marine Corps is the transportation of troops, equipment, and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support.

Description

The MV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotor V/STOL aircraft designed as the medium-lift replacement for the CH-46E Sea Knight assault support helicopter. The Osprey can operate as a helicopter or a turboprop aircraft and offers twice the speed, six times the range, and three times the payload of the CH-46E.

Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MV-22B was declared in June 2007. The Osprey had three successful combat deployments in Iraq from October 2007 to April 2009 with VMM-263, VMM-162 and VMM-266 respectively. VMM-263 embarked on the first MV-22 shipboard deployment with the Bataan Ready Group in May 2009 as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

On Mar. 28, 2008, NAVAIR awarded a five-year, $10.3 billion dollar contract to Bell- Boeing for 141 MV-22 Ospreys for the Marine Corps and 26 CV-22 Ospreys for the Air Force Special Operations Command. It is the first multi-year procurement contract for the Osprey program, covering purchases in FY08-12. The deal saves the taxpayers $427 million and reduces risk to the government by establishing cost ceilings. It also provides program stability that supports both services’ needs to field new and better capabilities, and in the Marine Corps case, retire old aircraft.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
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DTN News - MV-22 OSPREY NEWS: Osprey Prepares To Land On The Deck of The USS George H.W. Bush Aircraft Carrier

DTN News -  MV-22 OSPREY NEWS: Osprey Prepares To Land On The Deck of The USS George H.W. Bush Aircraft Carrier

Source: DTN News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 3, 2013: An MV-22 Osprey prepares to land on the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush, which is conducting training and carrier qualifications, in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 27, 2013. 

The Osprey is assigned to Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22. 

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is the first aircraft designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the Defense Department's four U.S. armed services. The tiltrotor aircraft takes off and lands like a helicopter. Once airborne, its engine nacelles can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News 
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing To Provide Performance-Based Logistics For CH-47 Chinook Helicopters

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing To Provide Performance-Based Logistics For CH-47 Chinook Helicopters
>$185M US Army contract covers rotor-blade production, overhaul and distribution

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 5, 2012: The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a five-year Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) contract for CH-47 Chinook support, an arrangement that reduces customer costs while allowing Boeing to invest in improving products and processes. 

The $185 million contract covers management of the production, overhaul and distribution of the Army's supply of Chinook helicopter rotor blades.

"PBLs are outcome-focused sustainment contracts that guarantee enhanced performance and improved costs," said Peri Widener, Rotorcraft Support vice president for Boeing. "We work with our customer to reduce costs through longer-term agreements, purchasing only the parts needed and investing in techniques that extend the life of key components."

Under a PBL contract, the customer pays for a support package with an agreed-to level of readiness, unlike traditional contracts based on payment for specific parts and services.

Boeing has been collaborating with U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command for several years on ways to improve the tooling used to produce and repair Chinook rotor blades. The company also has increased the efficiency and capacity of its Chinook supply chain through the use of improved asset management and forecasting tools, an enhanced supplier network and a public-private partnership with the Corpus Christi Army Depot.

Boeing, a leader in the use of PBLs, has performance-based support contracts for the AH-64 Apache, V-22 Osprey, and international CH-47 programs.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Bob Algarotti
Global Services & Support
Office:             +1 314-777-0707      
Mobile:             +1 703-862-0188      
robert.a.algarotti@boeing.com

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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