Navy approves Boeing combat vehicle for transport on V-22

Boeing reports its Phantom Badger combat vehicle has been approved by the U.S. Navy for transport aboard V-22 Osprey aircraft.

The certification follows testing by the Navy, which included form-fit checks, pressure tests and G-force structural evaluations.

"This certification validates Phantom Badger's versatile design while offering the warfighter increased battlefield access and deployment options," said John Chicoli, program manager for Boeing's internally transportable vehicle program. "Phantom Badger is designed to easily fit in the compact space of the V-22 and it is also compatible with many larger aircraft."

The Phantom Badger was designed by Boeing Phantom Works. It has a modular rear section for quick configuration for a variety of missions, among them reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, casualty transport, direct action with weapons mounts or explosive ordnance disposal.

The new vehicle has undergone more than 5,000 miles of terrain durability testing as well as airdrop tests from a C-17 transport, Boeing said.

The V-22 is operated by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force.