Three MV-22 Ospreys to receive upgrades from Bell-Boeing

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Bell-Boeing JPO was awarded a contract for upgrades to three MV-22 Osprey aircraft.

The deal, announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense, is valued at more than $69.6 million and is a modification to a previously awarded undefinitized contract classified under the terms of a cost-plus-fixed fee, firm-fixed price contract.

The modified contract provides for the upgraded configurations of three MV-22B aircraft from Block B configuration to Block C configuration.

Block C configurations provide mission enhancements and upgraded inherent features onboard the Osprey. The main difference between Block B and C is that it moves the aircraft from a combat-capable aircraft with upgrades to improved maintainability to an aircraft that can be used in multiple combat roles such as those assigned to special operations, according to Boeing.

Work will occur in Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and other unnamed locations around the United States. The contract is expected to be completed in May 2020.

The full amount of the contract will be obligated to Bell-Boeing from the Navy's 2017 and 2018 fiscal years' aircraft procurement funds at the time of award.

The obligated funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year, the Pentagon said.