The US Navy’s inventory of CMV-22B Ospreys has been partially clarified through recent reports and contracts. Roughly 30 of these aircraft have been delivered, with ongoing inspections and maintenance. Eleven of the current CMV-22B fleet are prepared to resume operations after a fleet-wide grounding due to safety concerns.
According to a report by Naval Today, the US Navy plans to procure a total of 44 CMV-22B aircraft, differing from the initial projection of 48. An additional five Ospreys will be added to the fleet, supported by a $590 million contract approved for Bell Boeing.
The Navy aims to bolster its readiness with these deliveries as it plans for the retirement of the Grumman C-2 Greyhound carrier onboard delivery planes. The CMV-22B Ospreys, coordinated with US Marines V-22 units, enhance overall fleet readiness.
The aging C-2 Greyhound fleet, in service since 1966 as the primary platform for resupplying aircraft carriers, faces challenges with parts availability. The Osprey, with superior range and capacity to other helicopter options, is considered a more capable successor.
Despite its advantages, the V-22 family, including the Osprey, has faced safety-related operational pauses and restrictions after incidents of mechanical failures. Improvements to the aircraft’s gearbox are set to address these issues, promising enhanced reliability and durability for the entire fleet.
The Marine Corps’ 2025 Aviation Plan outlines various upgrades, such as the redesign of the gearbox and installation of sensors to foresee potential failures, ensuring the aircraft remains operationally effective and ready for deployment.
Quotes from military officials underscore a commitment to maintaining operational superiority and readiness across the force, emphasizing modernization and current preparedness.
The CMV-22B Osprey, designed to fulfill the Navy’s specific requirements for carrier onboard delivery, remains central to the Navy’s strategy of maintaining air wing readiness through effective transport of critical components such as jet engines.
