Breeze-Eastern Corporation (AMEX: BZC), the aerospace industry’s only dedicated hoist and winch specialist, has been selected by The Boeing Company to design, develop and produce a new cargo winch for the MV-22 Osprey. Breeze-Eastern will initially manufacture 18 winches, with first deliveries in 2014.

“Breeze-Eastern is proud to bring this product to the U.S. Marine Corps,” said company President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Pedersen. “Contributing to safe and successful operations is Breeze-Eastern’s top priority.” The MV-22 is a tiltrotor aircraft capable of transporting 24 combat troops, 20,000 pounds of internal, or up to 15,000 pounds of external, cargo. Winches expedite the loading and unloading process.

Over 1,000 aircraft worldwide have been equipped with Breeze-Eastern winch systems, which are designed for installation on the AgustaWestland AW101, Airbus A400M, Alenia C27J, CASA CN-235, CASA C-295 and Sikorsky S-92 and CH-53D.

Breeze-Eastern Corporation is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance lifting and pulling devices for helicopters, military cargo aircraft, and other aerospace/defense platforms, including rescue hoists, winches and cargo hooks, and weapons-lifting systems.