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The Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey took center stage at the Dubai Air Show this week with company executives saying that aircraft sales could grow significantly in the "very near future".
However, despite its vast success in Afghanistan, the aircraft may be procured in a VIP configuration in the Middle East and possibly elsewhere.
"That could be an option, to be sold in a VIP configuration because of its ability to take off and land like a helicopter and then have the exceptional speeds. We've has some interests for it to be a VIP platform so that is a definite possibility," Mark Ballew, Director, Business Development, Chinook & Future Vertical Lift Programs told Defenseworld.net without naming possible Middle Eastern customers.
Addressing the V-22s possible VIP configurations, Ballew said that "some of the interiors could be belted, we could dampen some of the sound proofing and if the customer wants to come in and design something for VIP platform that's definitely doable too."
According to reports, U.S. officials have provided briefings on the V-22 to the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, Singapore, and Australia.
Israel recently became the Osprey's first international customer with six aircraft to be delivered in the next two years.
"We are in discussion with a number of customers for the V-22 and we won't go into specifics whether we're close or not close. But we are in talks with five different nations around the world," he added.
At an estimated price tag of $70 million, the Osprey is designed to transport 24 combat troops, 9,071kg of internal cargo or up to 6,803kg of external cargo, thanks to its medium lift and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The Osprey is designed to fly 3,380km with one in-flight refuelling, thus providing the advantage of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can rapidly self-deploy to any location in the world.
The Osprey comes in two main variants. The MV-22 is designed to meet the amphibious/vertical assault needs of the US Marine Corps, the strike rescue needs of the US Navy and long-range special operations forces. The CV-22 is designed to support missions of the US Special Operations Command.
However, despite its vast success in Afghanistan, the aircraft may be procured in a VIP configuration in the Middle East and possibly elsewhere.
"That could be an option, to be sold in a VIP configuration because of its ability to take off and land like a helicopter and then have the exceptional speeds. We've has some interests for it to be a VIP platform so that is a definite possibility," Mark Ballew, Director, Business Development, Chinook & Future Vertical Lift Programs told Defenseworld.net without naming possible Middle Eastern customers.
Addressing the V-22s possible VIP configurations, Ballew said that "some of the interiors could be belted, we could dampen some of the sound proofing and if the customer wants to come in and design something for VIP platform that's definitely doable too."
According to reports, U.S. officials have provided briefings on the V-22 to the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, Brazil, Colombia, Singapore, and Australia.
Israel recently became the Osprey's first international customer with six aircraft to be delivered in the next two years.
"We are in discussion with a number of customers for the V-22 and we won't go into specifics whether we're close or not close. But we are in talks with five different nations around the world," he added.
At an estimated price tag of $70 million, the Osprey is designed to transport 24 combat troops, 9,071kg of internal cargo or up to 6,803kg of external cargo, thanks to its medium lift and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The Osprey is designed to fly 3,380km with one in-flight refuelling, thus providing the advantage of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can rapidly self-deploy to any location in the world.
The Osprey comes in two main variants. The MV-22 is designed to meet the amphibious/vertical assault needs of the US Marine Corps, the strike rescue needs of the US Navy and long-range special operations forces. The CV-22 is designed to support missions of the US Special Operations Command.
