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DATE:15/03/11
SOURCE:Flight International
Israeli air force to take second look at V-22 Osprey
By Arie Egozi
The Israeli air force is again evaluating the possible purchase of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.
In 2009 the force stopped the evaluation after two years of work.
But in a rare statement to the air force magazine, Maj Gen David Barki, head of the helicopter air division, said that the air force is considering future procurement of the V-22.
"It is not included in the multi-year plan that will terminate next year. But one option that we consider for the future, is the V-22.
This aircraft can give us operational capabilities that we don't have today."
Israeli experts say that the new interest in the V-22 is for fast deployment of Special Forces troops and medical evacuation.
Meanwhile, the V-22 fleet has surpassed 100,000 flight hours. The milestone arrived on 10 February during a US Marine Corps MV-22 combat mission in Afghanistan.
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