Key Points

• An Osprey from VMX 1 conducted flight evaluations aboard USS Carl Vinson(CVN 70)
• The V-22 will be the navy’s new COD platform after the C-2 is retired

In preparation for the planned replacement of its legacy Northrop Grumman C-2 Greyhound transport aircraft, the US Navy on 12 June received a Boeing MV-22 Osprey from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for flight evaluation, the navy announced.

“These operations present an opportunity for our flight crews to gain experience landing on an aircraft carrier as opposed to landing on an amphibious ship,” said Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Brett Hart, VMX-1 executive officer. “It allows us to become accustomed to a different set of operating procedures, and additionally allows Air Department Sailors on board Carl Vinson to become accustomed to landing and handling tiltrotor aircraft.” Carl Vinson is under way conducting command assessment of readiness and training (CARAT) II off the coast of Southern California.

The USN has chosen the V-22 as its new carrier on board delivery (COD) platform. However, the navy will not start a new programme of record (PoR) for the acquisition of a new Osprey variant but will instead fund the existing programme supplying MV-22s to the USMC in order to purchase the planned fleet of 44 aircraft, navy officials have said. The new variant is expected to incorporate an extended range fuel system, high frequency radio, and public address system onto the existing MV-22. Deliveries are expected to begin in fiscal year 2020.

The visiting Osprey conducted test take-offs and landings aboard Carl Vinson . The deck crew saw the exercise as a valuable opportunity to gain experience handling the Osprey, said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Trell Matthias, an aircraft director assigned to Carl Vinson ‘s Air Department, V-1 Division.