Textron Inc.'s V-22 Osprey, the tilt-rotor craft that entered development almost 25 years ago, is poised to win its first export deals as Israel and Japan close in on purchases.
"It's possible that we could be under contract by the end of the year," John Garrison, chief executive officer of Textron's Bell Helicopter unit, said in an interview at the Farnborough Air Show outside London. "The foreign military sales process does take time so it's always hard to forecast."
The Pentagon notified Congress of a possible $1.13 billion sale of at least six V-22s to Israel in January, while Japan could purchase 17, according to a request for proposals. There are also "a couple" of other strong export prospects in the 10- to 12-aircraft range, Garrison said.