25 November 2015. Japan announces its plans to buy Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey in 2015 fiscal budget.
The budget documents shared online on Japanese Ministry of Defence's web page.
USAF Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey
The document says "acquisition of tiltrotor aircraft (source selection underway) with a view to enhance unit deployment capabilities in amphibious operations. Acquiring tiltrotor aircraft that complement and strengthen the capabilities of existing transport helicopter (CH-47A) in terms of cruising speed and flight range".
Implicitly, Ministry of Defence of Japan did not clearly mention the V-22 Osprey. In other hand, Boeing spokesperson confirms that Japan is buying the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey.
The V-22 Osprey are built by partnership of Bell Helicopter and Boeing.
Bell-Boeing spokesperson states that they are honored that Japan has selected the V-22 Osprey as fleet combat. They will continue its work with United States government on developing military aircraft and foreign military sale.
This will be good news for Bell-Boeing sales after Israel has canceled its purchased on six V-22 Osprey, recently.
V-22 Osprey on Vertical Takeoff/Landing Attempt
Japan is not saying the budget but John Garrison, Bell Helicopter CEO says they have budgeted for around seventeen Bell-Boeing V-22 Ospreys tiltrotors.
Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey is a multi-role tiltrotor aircraft that has ability to perform takeoff and landing vertically (VTOL). It also has short takeoff and landing (STOL) when needed in warfare or carrier-ship. Bell-Boeing claims the V-22 Osprey designed to combine special capabilities of helicopter as well as long-range and high-speed flight cruising.
