The US Marine Corps expects to declare initial operational capability (IOC) for the Bell Boeing V-22 Aerial Refuelling System (VARS) in late 2019. VARS will be qualified with the USMC’s Boeing AV-8B, F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin F-35B strike aircraft and Sikorsky CH-53 fleets, although a testing timeline has yet to be worked out. VARS sets during 2018, with the equipment based on its existing FR300 hose-drum unit. Meanwhile, US. authorities says the V-22 programme office is looking at the feasibility of adding a chin-mounted gun and crew-served door guns for the Osprey, with the USMC particularly interested in the latter.