Vought Delivers 100th MV-22 Osprey Empennage To Bell Helicopter

(Dallas, June 27, 2008) -- Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. achieved a major milestone this week by delivering its 100th composite empennage unit to Bell Helicopter in Amarillo, Texas, for the MV-22 Osprey variant.

"Everyone who works on this program recognizes the value our military services place on the Osprey," said Program Director Chris Gould. "We are honored to be a part of this production team and support an aircraft platform that plays such a vital role with our troops." Vought's Dallas facility is responsible for the engineering, design and production of the empennage, ramp and ramp door. About 200 people support Vought's V-22 program in Dallas, while another 30 workers in Milledgeville, Ga., build side skin assemblies, sponson and main landing gear panels.


The V-22 Osprey is produced under a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and The Boeing Company. It is the first aircraft designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the Defense Department's four U.S. armed services. The tiltrotor aircraft takes off and lands like a helicopter. Once airborne, its engine nacelles can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

Source : Vought Aircraft Industries