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Rest of article:
Inside The Navy
July 26, 2004
Pg. 1
V-22 Meeting Upbeat, But Bell’s Production Capability Remains At Issue
The Pentagon’s Defense Acquisition Board recently conducted a generally positive review of the V-22 Osprey program, but the board has questions about whether Bell Helicopter Textron will be able to ramp up production for the aircraft when the time comes, according to Pentagon sources.
The board’s July 15 review, conducted behind closed doors at the Pentagon and led by acting Defense Department acquisition czar Michael Wynne, went well for the V-22 program and no major decisions were made, Pentagon sources confirmed.
But the board has concerns about whether Bell will be able to ramp up production for the V-22 on schedule and wants to watch the situation, Pentagon sources told Inside the Navy. There is also concern, the sources said, about whether Bell could concurrently balance production work for the V-22 with other aircraft it plans to produce at the same facility in Texas: the H-1 helicopter upgrades for the Marine Corps; the Eagle Eye unmanned drone for the Coast Guard; the Bell 609 civilian tiltrotor; and possibly the EH-101 helicopter, if it is selected for the presidential helicopter program.
Earlier this year, it was revealed Bell faces high risk when it comes to resolving parts shortages, being able to deliver 18 Ospreys in 2004, and totally changing its culture to prepare for a full-rate production decision (ITN, April 12, p1). Bell and Boeing are teamed to develop the Osprey for Marine Corps and Air Force troops.
While an industry source suggested the July 15 meeting showed the DAB was not concerned about the V-22 ramp up, but only whether Bell could handle multiple programs concurrently, Pentagon sources made no such distinction.
“The topic of the discussion was Bell’s ability to ramp up the V-22,” said a Pentagon source. That was the starting point for the discussion, the source said, and then immediately it was mentioned that Bell would be ramping up production for the H-1, Eagle Eye, and perhaps the EH-101 helicopter, plus work that would be done for the 609 program. There was talk about the impact these programs might have on V-22 production, said the source, but the other programs are also important.
“I can’t say the concern was for one program or the other,” said the source, but added the DAB members were meeting to review the V-22, not the Eagle Eye, the EH-101 or the H-1 upgrades.
Ward Carroll, the Navy’s V-22 spokesman, acknowledged the V-22 DAB meeting was held but otherwise had no comment on the meeting.
The Osprey program receives particular scrutiny inside and outside the Pentagon because two fatal crashes in 2000 prompted the Pentagon to restructure the program. The aircraft is scheduled to enter the critical operational evaluation phase next year. But the July 15 meeting, which was generally upbeat, mainly focused on cost and schedule matters, said a Pentagon source.
-- Christopher J. Castelli
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