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Description
The need for a long-range search & rescue aircraft had been clear to RAF planners as early as 1997. Tilt-rotor technology was seen as preferential to seaplanes, given the frequency of appalling weather in the North Sea and North Atlantic. Realistically, there was only one game in town by the turn of the century; consequently, an order for one squadron of Bell-Boeing V-22B Ospreys was placed in 2001.
The Osprey ASR.1 was effectively a stripped-down version of the USAF's CV-22B, removing must of the specifically military equipment that would not be required for this role. A basic search radar was fitted alongside a very capable FLIR system, the two sensors able to pick out small targets at sea.
The Royal Navy also ordered ten even more stripped down COD.2 versions for long-range resupply of Royal Navy ships, lacking FLIR and search radar but carrying long-range fuel tanks. Predating the US Navy's CMV-22B by several years, the COD.2 would operate alongside the Greyhound COD.1 in resupplying smaller carriers. A proposed tanker version has yet (as of 2023) to be ordered.
Finally, five CV-22B's with no changes were ordered as the C.3. These operated in the Combat-SAR and special forces support roles.

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You can see the rest of the stuff in this AU here: Saxonverse: the Premiership of Harry Saxon

Description
The need for a long-range search & rescue aircraft had been clear to RAF planners as early as 1997. Tilt-rotor technology was seen as preferential to seaplanes, given the frequency of appalling weather in the North Sea and North Atlantic. Realistically, there was only one game in town by the turn of the century; consequently, an order for one squadron of Bell-Boeing V-22B Ospreys was placed in 2001.
The Osprey ASR.1 was effectively a stripped-down version of the USAF's CV-22B, removing must of the specifically military equipment that would not be required for this role. A basic search radar was fitted alongside a very capable FLIR system, the two sensors able to pick out small targets at sea.
The Royal Navy also ordered ten even more stripped down COD.2 versions for long-range resupply of Royal Navy ships, lacking FLIR and search radar but carrying long-range fuel tanks. Predating the US Navy's CMV-22B by several years, the COD.2 would operate alongside the Greyhound COD.1 in resupplying smaller carriers. A proposed tanker version has yet (as of 2023) to be ordered.
Finally, five CV-22B's with no changes were ordered as the C.3. These operated in the Combat-SAR and special forces support roles.

* * *

You can see the rest of the stuff in this AU here: Saxonverse: the Premiership of Harry Saxon