Article Posted on : - Feb 15, 2012

The MV-22 Osprey. A Boeing photo

PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND (BNS): The US Marine Corps has taken delivery of an upgraded MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

The new Block C variant of the aircraft features new weather radar system that improves navigation in poor weather conditions, and a redesigned Environmental Conditioning System to enhance aircrew and troop comfort.

The new Electronic Warfare system on board the aircraft increases the Osprey's ability to defeat air-to-air and ground-to-air threats.

The Block C also provides greater situational awareness with enhanced cockpit and cabin displays, according to Boeing which, in partnership with Bell Helicopters, has developed the multirole combat aircraft for the Marine Corps and US Air Force.

The V-22 Osprey uses tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft.

More than 160 Osprey tiltrotors are currently in operation.