Bell and Leonardo to cooperate on tiltrotor technology
Bell’s tiltrotor portfolio boasts the V-22 Osprey and FLRAA winner V-280 Valor. (Photo: Bell)
The partnership between Leonardo and Bell has signalled a step towards advancing next-generation rotorcraft capabilities as the two company's embark on NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Concept Study.
Bell and Leonardo have signed an MoU to evaluate cooperation opportunities in the tiltrotor technology domain.
The collaborative effort will kick off in full swing with NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Concept Study #5. Leonardo will spearhead the tiltrotor architecture proposal with support from Bell, the partners said.
“This cooperative effort between Bell and Leonardo reflects our shared vision that next-generation rotorcraft will be influenced by the speed, range and manoeuvrability only tiltrotor technology can deliver,” said Lisa Atherton, president and CEO of Bell. “We are proud to deepen our relationship with Leonardo as we continue to explore emerging vertical lift programmes in Europe and the US.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said: “We’re thrilled to evaluate new joint efforts for the next-generation of rotorcraft technologies, based on our solid and shared view of the unique advantages of tiltrotors. Leonardo has always firmly endorsed tiltrotor technologies to meet evolving rotorcraft requirements, even more so as new needs emerge in the market.”
Bell’s tiltrotor portfolio boasts the V-22 Osprey – built in collaboration with Boeing – and it has also participated in the US Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition with its V-280 Valor. Meanwhile, Leonardo has developed a demonstrator design for a civil tiltrotor aircraft called the AW609.
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK company demonstrates crewed-uncrewed teaming]()
UK company demonstrates crewed-uncrewed teaming
QinetiQ's aerial target drone, the Banshee, was modified to be controlled by a piloted aircraft.
-
![Airbus could miss out as India’s air refueller saga drags on]()
Airbus could miss out as India’s air refueller saga drags on
Amid heightened demand for aerial refuelling capabilities in India, Airbus Defence faces a potential setback in securing defence contracts in the country due to escalating costs and concerns over trust.
-
![Poland and Netherlands approved for hundreds of air-to-ground missiles]()
Poland and Netherlands approved for hundreds of air-to-ground missiles
The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile compatible with US and allied strike aircraft.
-
![Anduril and GA-ASI propel forward in US Air Force CCA programme’s next phase]()
Anduril and GA-ASI propel forward in US Air Force CCA programme’s next phase
Anduril and GA-ASI have raced ahead in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, securing contracts with the US Air Force to build production representative flight test platforms.
-
![Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE]()
Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE
The arrival of the latest GlobalEye marked the fourth AEW&C aircraft delivery to the UAE in just four years.
