By late 2019, the U.S. Marine Corps is expected to declare initial operational capability for the V-22 Aerial Refuelling System (VARS), starting with four Ospreys.
Lt. Col. Douglas Ogden, MV-22 military platform lead at the V-22 joint program office, disclosed the information at the IQ Defence International Helicopter Conference in London on Feb. 1.
VARS will be able to refuel all fixed-wing USMC fighters and the CH-53 helicopter. Flight Global’s article did not mention if VARS can buddy refuel other Ospreys.