Vertiflite May/June 2021

Forecast International’s 10-year projection of combined global civil and military deliveries.

Z-9 multipurpose machine, the Z-19 light attack model, and the three-engine Z-8 and Z-18 multirole helicopters.

had delivered more than 335 MV-22s to the Marines and 53 CV- 22s to the Air Force. Deliveries of 48 CMV-22Bs to the Navy are just getting underway; the service took delivery of its initial example in February 2020. MV-22 deliveries to the Japan began in July 2020. The JGSDF, which is so far the sole export customer for the V-22, is acquiring a total of 17 MV-22s. Beyond its partnership with Boeing on the V-22, Bell’s presence in the military market in recent years has been based largely on US Marine Corps acquisition of AH-1Z light attack helicopters and UH- 1Y utility helicopters. However, the Marines took delivery of their 160th and last UH-1Y in 2018, and AH-1Z deliveries to the USMC may end around 2022. Export deals, though, can be expected to extend production of both models for at least several more years.

Hindustan Aeronautics, Ltd. (HAL) of India has produced more than 300 Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters, the majority of which have been delivered to the Indian armed forces for use in a variety of roles. The company is currently developing a single-engine Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and a twin-engine, tandem-seat Light Combat Helicopter (LCH); both models are to be acquired by the Indian Air Force and Army. In the US, ongoing military procurement involves theV-22 tiltrotor aircraft, as well as various legacy helicopter designs. The V-22 is manufactured by the team of Bell and Boeing. Production of 360 MV-22s for the US Marine Corps and 56 CV-22s for the US Air Force is nearing completion. By the end of 2020, Bell and Boeing

May / June 2021

Boeing’s AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter and CH-47F

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