Bell pushes on with V-280
V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft. (Photo: Bell Textron)
Team Valor is applying lessons learned from a multiyear flight-test programme and Soldier Touchpoint events, in preparation for an RfP from the US Army for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.
Bell Textron confirmed on 24 June that it is advancing the V-280 Valor programme to meet Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) requirements for the US Army.
Having demonstrated the technical and operational characteristics of the tiltrotor aircraft, Bell and its Team Valor partners ‘are applying data-driven optimisations to deliver a reliable and sustainable long-range assault weapon system’ for the imminent programme of record competition, the company added.
The US Army is expected to release an RfP in Q3 2021. Team Valor faces competition from Boeing and Sikorsky, which are jointly offering the coaxial Defiant X.
Both teams received Competitive Design and Risk Reduction (CD&RR) Phase 2 awards on 31 March.
Bell stated that it is using CD&RR Phase 2 to provide initial preliminary designs for major subsystems and the conceptual weapons system, ‘based on data-proven performance that ensures transformational capabilities will be delivered in line with the Army’s schedule’.
A recently concluded three-year flight-test programme for the V-280 (including 15 sorties flown by US Army experimental test pilots) highlighted the aircraft’s low-speed agility, long-range cruise, 305kt high-speed flights and ‘rapid mission systems integration’, Bell claimed.
Additionally, Bell hosted Soldier Touchpoint events enabling critical feedback from pilots, mechanics, and infantry squads.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies]()
US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies
The United Arab Emirates has taken the lion’s share of this round, with the US supporting its F-16 fleet and signing off on possible sales for more AMRAAM AIM-120 missiles and a counter-drone system.
-
![How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics]()
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
-
![UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines]()
UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines
The first of three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, originally ordered in 2019, is now expected to be delivered to the RAF this year after multiple “difficulties”.
-
![Forecast $21.9 billion light attack and trainer opportunities up for grabs as Leonardo lines up M-346]()
Forecast $21.9 billion light attack and trainer opportunities up for grabs as Leonardo lines up M-346
The M-346 stands as a potential contender for various countries facing impending capability gaps due to ageing trainer aircraft, while it could also be selected as a cost-effective light fighter aircraft.
-
![US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters]()
US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters
The USAF published RFIs for enhancing its C3 capabilities after losing, in Operation Epic Fury, four aircraft in non-confrontational, unclear situations that could have been related to command, control and communication failures.
