Bell makes move on FLRAA test lab construction despite ongoing Defiant protest
Bell was awarded the deal that’s worth up to $1,3 billion to replace the US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. (Photo: Bell)
Bell Textron began laying the foundations for a new testing facility for its V-280 Valor helicopter despite protest over its US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract win.
Bell Textron executives have broken ground on a new facility dedicated to testing parts for the company's prospective helicopters, including the V-280 Valor that has won the US Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft contract.
Bell was awarded the $1.3 billion deal to replace the US Army's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in early December 2022.
Team Defiant X, however, did not think the decision was made correctly and filed a protest with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The administrative challenge set off by the protest is expected to be resolved by 7 April.
Despite the ongoing selection process review, Bell began laying
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![“Gloves are off” as US Defense Secretary memo calls for sweeping drone procurement reform]()
“Gloves are off” as US Defense Secretary memo calls for sweeping drone procurement reform
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has promised to usher in a new era of “military drone dominance”.
-
![Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane]()
Bell selected over Boeing to build DARPA SPRINT X-Plane
The programme first began in 2023 with Bell and Boeing’s concepts progressing to Phase 1B, in which testing has been carried out over the last year.
-
![National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme]()
National Audit Office report highlights major delays in UK’s F-35 programme
The report discloses that while the capability provided by the F-35 is superior to previous UK aircraft, delays from the UK Ministry of Defence on the programme have significantly impacted the country’s warfighting capabilities.
-
![France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production]()
France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production
The new ‘Entente Industrielle’ will work on a range of other projects to boost the UK economy and defence industry, including joint development on new high-tech frequency weapons and extended range air-to-air missiles.
-
![Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports]()
Boeing E-7A still in South Korean AEW&C competition, despite dropout reports
The E-7A is one of three aircraft submitted for the South Korean AEW&C II competition, which seeks to acquire four more aircraft of the type for its air force by 2028.
