Bell Helicopter has awarded LaBarge Inc. a $1.2 million contract to produce electronic subassemblies for the de-icing system of the V-22 Osprey. LaBarge expects that there will be follow-on orders.
The V-22 combines the speed and range of a fixed wing aircraft with the vertical flight performance of a helicopter. Capable of both vertical and short takeoffs and landings, the V-22 is a tiltrotor — an aircraft with prop-rotors at the end of each wing — that can be oriented vertically for vertical takeoffs and landings and horizontally for forward flight. The Osprey meets the joint mission requirements of the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force Special Operations Command. In July, the V-22 successfully passed the operational evaluation phase conducted by the Marines. The V- 22 received approval for full rate production last month.
LaBarge will manufacture the central de-ice distributor and the blade de-ice distributor, both of which provide de-icing controls and lightning protection for the V-22. LaBarge expects to begin work on this contract at its Huntsville, Ala. facility in November.
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