I never understood AFSOC designation of CV-22B (since it replaced the MH-53) and the USMC designation MV-22B (since it replaced the CH-46).
The USCG's use of MH-65 and MH-60 for their upgraded helos is a little anomalous too, I would not be surprised that budget politics was a factor in that too (I know, they do AUF now but is that really a different 'version'?).
I think it was to clarify which helos had been modified for the AUF mission. I'm under the impression that all their Dolphins and 'Hawks are getting the mod eventually, though. The CG has historically not been adept at acquisition politics.
The CG has historically not been adept at acquisition politics.
Maybe the exception here, but - CG has been pretty innovative with their MH60 fillet - have seen them get airframes that Navy got rid of and refurbished so that they are upgraded over the 60S capability coming off the line in Stratford. And these airframes will probably outlive the 60S - all at a fraction of the cost.
So the Jayhawks and Dolphins have a little extra kit to do AUF now, rescue is still their predominant mission.
I heard those are -F airframes that get taken down to the bare airframe and rebuilt. Their cockpit and avionics are awesome, similar to the -M.
True story. The result is pretty amazing.
*CNA study: A team from the Center for Naval Analyses has conducted a det size analysis at the request of Air Boss. They're now looking into some more specific detachment logistics/manning/operations issues. I'm as eager as everyone else to see what they come up with.
The U.S. Air Force’s 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has been named this year’s winner of the Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence, which is presented annually to the military’s best field-level maintenance unit. The squadron’s mission is to perform all equipment maintenance for 17 CV-22Bs’ worldwide special operations missions in support of the 8th Special Operations Squadron. With fewer than 300 personnel, the squadron supported more than 1,200 sorties and 3,500 flying hours (28% of the Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing’s required missions in fiscal 2014), according to its award citation. In addition, the squadron developed an in-house capability that allows maintainers to repair components for the Bell-Boeing tiltrotor locally, which the Defense Dept. said saved taxpayers more than $46 million. It also recovered three battle-damaged CV-22s and repaired them for safe transport and return to their home station for major depot repairs. In the 31 years of the Phoenix Award, this is the Air Force's seventh win.