Israel requests V-22B Block C aircraft sale from US

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of V-22B Block C aircraft and associated equipment to Israel.

Under the estimated $1.13bn sale, Israel has requested the supply of six V-22B Block C aircraft, along with 16 Rolls Royce AE1107C engines, six each AN/APR-39 radar warning receiver systems, AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser systems, AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems and AN/APX-123 identification friend-or-foe (IFF) systems.

Additional equipment includes six AN/ARN-153 tactical airborne navigation systems, six AN/ARN-147 very high frequency (VHF) omni-directional range (VOR) instrument landing system (ILS) beacon navigation systems, six multi-band radios, six AN/APN-194 radar altimeters and six AN/ASN-163 miniature airborne global positioning system (GPS) receivers (MAGR).

The package also includes 36 AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles (NVG), joint mission planning system, support and test equipment, software, repair and return, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, as well as other elements of technical and programme support.

"The V-22B aircraft is also expected to provide the capability for transport of personnel and equipment."

Apart from enhancing the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) search-and-rescue (SAR) and special operations capabilities, the V-22B aircraft is also expected to provide the capability for transport of personnel and equipment to areas not accessible by fixed wing lift assets.

Bell and Boeing will serve as the prime contractors through a joint venture (JV) arrangement, while the final aircraft assembly will be carried out in Amarillo, Texas, US.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 1107C-Liberty engines, the V-22 Osprey is a multi-mission, tiltrotor aircraft featuring both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability.

Available in three configurations, aircraft is used by the US Air Force (USAF) and Marine Corps for amphibious assault, combat support, long-range special operations infiltration and exfiltration, transport, search-and-rescue, medical evacuation and fleet logistic support missions.