Japan to buy 5 Bell V-22 Ospreys

Bell Helicopter announced Tuesday the sale of five V-22 Ospreys to Japan, the first such purchase of the versatile tilt-rotor aircraft through the U.S. government’s foreign sales program.

The $332.5 million contract was awarded to Bell Boeing, an alliance of Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, and Boeing, through the Navy. The contract for the Block C aircraft includes support, training and equipment. Many of the Osprey’s parts are made in the Fort Worth area, with final assembly in Amarillo.

By buying the V-22, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force enhances its capabilities while providing a platform for relief efforts in response to natural disasters, company officials said.

Japan has requested the possible sale of 17 Ospreys and the U.S. State Department has estimated the possible total cost of the aircraft sales and associated equipment and parts to be about $3 billion.

“The Bell Boeing team is honored to have Japan as the first international customer for the V-22 tiltrotor,” Mitch Snyder, executive vice president of military business for Bell Helicopter, said in a statement. “The distinct performance envelope of the V-22 will provide Japan with an ideal solution when the need arises.”

The V-22 is now being used by the Marine Corps and the Air Force Special Operations Command. The Navy announced its decision this year to buy 44 V-22s.

“This is an important day for the Bell Boeing team in Japan and for the U.S.-Japan Alliance,” Shelley Lavender, president of Boeing Military Aircraft, said in a statement. “The V-22 redefines what’s operationally possible for a country, and we’re looking forward to delivering this capability to Japan as we continue our enduring partnership there.”

The Osprey’s mission capabilities include troop transport, disaster relief, personnel recovery, medical evacuation and logistics support.

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, traveled to Japan last year to promote the Osprey to the Japanese. Sales have been helped by the aircraft’s successful deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the Osprey has amassed more than 250,000 flight hours, company officials have said.

Last year, the Pentagon notified Congress of the possible $1.13 billion sale of at least six V-22s to Israel.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Japan to buy 5 Bell V-22 Ospreys."