V-22 and the Future of Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD): Improving the Way the Navy Re-Supplies Its Carriers and Maritime Forces

The Carrier onboard delivery (COD) mission involves the use of aircraft to ferry personnel, mail, supplies, VIPs, and high-priority cargo, such as replacement parts from shore bases to aircraft carriers. Several types of aircraft, including helicopters, have been used by navies in the COD role. Helicopters in the USN fleet have also played a major role in re-supply with the Vertical Onboard Delivery, or VOD mission element. The COD/VOD combined mission has heretofore amounted to a maritime hub-and-spoke system whereby the COD aircraft deploy the major re-supply cache to a carrier (hub), followed by distribution of supplies and personnel (spoke) to other carriers and ships using helicopters in the VOD role. The Navy is currently considering options for future COD platforms as the Greyhounds approach the end of their current service life supporting the carriers. This paper discusses the potential for improvements in cost and time executing the Navy’s carrier re-supply using the V-22 Osprey in the COD and COD/VOD combined re-supply roles.