USMC hopeful on V-22 FMS deals

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is still looking to secure its first international customer for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft but believes the market exists in 10-12 countries.
US Department of Defense team is currently in Israel for V-22 discussions. US Secretary of Defense said last year that V-22 sales to Israel would be expedited.
Last year was the programme's production peak to date, and signing some international contracts at this point would significantly drive down unit costs.
Readiness rates are up 25% while operating costs are down 20% since 2009, when the USMC launched an effort to improve readiness and to reduce costs.
Meanwhile, an aerial refuelling mission kit for the Osprey is still in the design phase. That capability would primarily be geared towards tanking of the USMC's short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) B-model of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
A prototype of the mission kit could be tested as soon as August if funding is available.
janes