The US Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapon Systems Support has awarded a performance based logistics (PBL) contract to Bell-Boeing to provide support services for its V-22 Osprey fleet.
The deal follows a previous award to provide supply chain management of 170 components for the aircraft.
Under the $218.4m cost plus inventive fee (CPIF) contract, Bell-Boeing will deliver 168 line items of repairable and consumable components, which are common to the US Air Force (USAF) CV-22 and US Marine Corps (USMC) MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft.
The company will also provide depot-level maintenance with Fleet Readiness Center (FRC)-East in Cherry Point, North Carolina and FRC-Southwest in San Diego.
NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support director of contracting, captain Chris Mosher said that the support team would reinvent and improve the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) buying power.
The recent contract and support strategy is expected to provide affordable readiness with improved performance and cost control.
NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Operations director captain Duke Heinz said: "The V-22 Joint PBL is a key step in supporting the V-22 for the next 36 years of the expected lifecycle."
Bell-Boeing will also return a portion of cost for efficiencies gained during performance to the navy and the contract work also involves an agreement to enhance repair and supply chain capability.
V-22 programme manager colonel Greg Masiello said: "This is an essential element of our long standing support strategy focused on increasing readiness and lowering O&S cost."
Work will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas, and in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and is scheduled to be complete by 31 December 2016.
Image: An aerial view of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey during its flight. Photo: courtesy of the Boeing Company.
