S. 2030: CMV–22 Readiness Enhancement and Industrial Sustainment Act

This bill, titled the CMV–22 Readiness Enhancement and Industrial Sustainment Act, aims to improve the readiness and reliability of the CMV–22 aircraft fleet used by the U.S. Navy. The main points of the bill are outlined below:

Authorization for Nacelle Improvements

The bill permits the Secretary of the Navy to incorporate enhancements, specifically nacelle improvements, into the CMV–22 aircraft. This effort is part of a broader initiative to enhance the aircraft's operational readiness.

Objectives of the Improvements

As part of the initiative, the Secretary of the Navy must:

• Enhance readiness and reliability: Improve the CMV–22 aircraft's capabilities to meet operational requirements, especially for tasks in contested logistics and distributed maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Utilize successful past integrations: Build upon improvements that have been successfully applied to the CV–22 aircraft fleet, which have led to better aircraft availability and decreased maintenance time.
• Sustain the tiltrotor industrial base: Ensure that the mostly unique tiltrotor manufacturing sector, including skilled workers in Amarillo, Texas, is maintained as the production of V–22 aircraft transitions to developing new long-range assault aircraft.

Implementation of Improvements

The Secretary of the Navy is tasked with:

• Prioritization: Putting a priority on integrating nacelle improvement kits into the CMV–22 aircraft during the fiscal years of 2025 and 2026.
• Leveraging existing knowledge: Using current expertise and performance data from the CV–22 upgrades to facilitate implementation.
• Coordination with Defense Officials: Working closely with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to maintain crucial supply chain capabilities, which is important during the shift away from V–22 aircraft production towards focusing on long-range assault aircraft.

Funding Limitations

The bill clarifies that it does not authorize any new funding. The implementation of nacelle improvements must rely on funds that have been appropriated in advance by existing appropriations acts.

Reporting Requirements

Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of the Navy is required to report to Congress on:

• The progress and timeline for integrating the nacelle improvement kits into the CMV–22 aircraft fleet.
• Readiness and performance metrics, comparing the upgraded aircraft to baseline models.
• The effects of these improvements on the workforce and production capacity of the tiltrotor industry.

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