Bell Textron Inc. recently announced initial results and benefits from more than 10,000 flight hours of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) CV-22 Ospreys with the Nacelle Improvement (NI) Programme. The first of nine CV-22s with the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base received the NI upgrade in 2021, and the programme has produced a 75 per cent reduction in maintenance hours resulting in a significant boost in operational readiness and maintainability.

The V-22 Osprey Nacelle houses critical power components to the V-22’s vertical take-off and landing capabilities and transition to forward flight. The NI programme is a targeted upgrade designed to modernise the V-22’s Nacelles. By simplifying wiring, enhancing structural components, and integrating fleet maintainer-informed feedback, NI improves the Osprey’s reliability, readiness, and sustainability for any mission for the next 30 years.

“Since the initial rollout, the CV-22 Nacelle Improvement has saved AFSOC more than 24,000 maintenance hours, equating to a savings of more than 1,000 days of maintainer time that can be used toward other high-priority needs,” said V-22 joint programme office principal military deputy programme manager and CV-22 senior materiel leader. “CV-22 readiness saw more than a 10 per cent increase; meaning more mission capable CV-22s on the flightline, which allows for further training and improved safety.”

Bell completes the NI modification at its Amarillo Assembly Centre (AAC), which actively produces V-22s for the US department of war. The AAC assembles all variants of the Bell Boeing V-22 model–MV, CMV, and CV.

“The Nacelle Improvement Programme enhances the V-22s reliability, flexibility, and global reach for combat and humanitarian missions alike,” said Kurt Fuller, senior vice president, Military Fielded Programmes, Bell. “We are pleased to see these remarkable results from the NI program and look forward to continued collaboration to enhance focus on V-22 safety, sustainability, and readiness.”