Marines eye 2019 for VARS

The Marines announced that they are looking at 2019 to complete the tanker modification for their MV-22s. Cobham will be supplying the V-22 Aerial Refueling System, based on their existing FR300 unit. Proximity testing was performed with an F-18 flying behind an MV-22, and showed no issues with the two aircraft in proximity. The system will be used for F-18s, AV-8Bs, F-35s, and CH-53s.

Delivery of the first system will be next year, but no firm outline has been established for testing. They originally wanted to use the system with F-35B operations, but the contract was delayed until this past October.

The US Marine Corps expects to declare initial operational capability for the Bell Boeing V-22 Aerial Refuelling System (VARS) in late 2019, with the milestone to represent the availability of an initial four mission-equipped aircraft.

VARS will be qualified with the USMC’s Boeing AV-8B, F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin F-35B strike aircraft and Sikorsky CH-53 fleets, although a testing timeline has yet to be worked out, says Lt Col Douglas Ogden, MV-22 military platform lead at the V-22 joint progamme office. The service had originally hoped to have the in-flight refuelling system ready to support initial operations with the F-35B, but a contract award was delayed until October 2016.

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a reply to: Zaphod58

Hmm. Good for organic tanking in the Corps, but what is the average available give for a MV-22? Also, what is the tank speed and alt? I gotta believe it's suboptimal for the Hornet.

Thanks for posting.

a reply to: cosmania

The RO/RO kit includes a bladder with 12,000 pounds. So offload would be similar to what you'd see with a buddy pod. It can run from 185-250 knots.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Going to be a big deal for the f-35. Will certainly make foreign sales more likely.