 Boeing V-22 Osprey Source: Boeing Farnborough 2004 |
WASHINGTON - Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is requesting funding in its next six-year spending plan to accelerate the purchase of CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to eight units per year starting in FY10, according to Col. J.D. Clem, AFSOC deputy director of plans, programs, requirements, and assessments. With seven operational CV-22s at Hurlburt Field in Florida and four training aircraft at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico, AFSOC is planning to declare Initial Operational Capability for the Osprey "no later than next month," according to Clem. The Special Forces would have a fleet of 50 aircraft by 2015 if the accelerated buy is proposed, with "large numbers" of CV-22s not arriving until the end of FY11. The Marine Corps has committed to purchase 360 Ospreys - designated MV-22 - while the Navy is to receive 48 V-22s.
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