Navy picks contractor to upgrade Osprey avionics

Raytheon Co. will provide information technology support for Navy V-22 aircraft under a five-year, $250 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract.

The award covers V-22 avionics systems software, situational awareness software and prototype hardware, and avionics acquisition support, according to a Raytheon announcement released today.

The V-22 Osprey is a multi-mission aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capability that performs missions as effectively as a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft, according to a Navy description.

The V-22, which made its first flight in March 1989, is the world’s first production tiltrotor aircraft.

As of 2009, the Marine Corps planned to purchase 360 V-22 Ospreys, the Navy 48 and the Air Force 50, the Navy said.

Raytheon has been involved in the V-22 program for more than 27 years. Its mission avionics software capabilities have been involved in the successful development and deployment of the aircraft, Wayne Iurillo, vice president of Customized Engineering and Depot Support at Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, said in the company announcement.

Raytheon is based in Waltham, Mass.