Protecting the horizon
Make it an unfair fight, with the EA-37B. Deny, degrade, and disrupt the enemy.
Bell Textron opens new laboratory to support bid for US Army’s FLRAA
Bell Textron’s V-280 Valor to replace Black Hawk helicopters. (Photo: Bell Textron)
In December 2022, the US Army awarded an initial $1.3 billion contract to Bell Textron for US Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), choosing to proceed with its V-280 Valor bid, and the new site will support this programme.
Bell Textron has opened its new 47,000sqft facility Weapon System’s Integration Lab (WSIL) facility in Texas to support the development and manufacture of its V-280 Valor tiltrotor which has been selected for the US Army’s FLRAA.
As Shephard previously reported, Bell registered the plans with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the middle of February last year.
The facility will be used for the integration and test of a next generation fly-by-wire tiltrotor and mission systems using a modular open systems approach (MOSA).
Manufacture of the building began in 2021 and it will support end-to-end integration of systems with modern avionics, electrical, hydraulic, flight controls and mission and sensor systems for current and future programmes, crewed and uncrewed.
FLRAA is the largest US Army helicopter procurement in four decades with the initial award, worth up to US$1.3 billion, was placed in 2022 and the V-280 design is set to replace around 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters from 2030.
This initial contract will refine the weapon system design, sustainment, digital enterprise, manufacturing, systems integration, flight-testing and airworthiness qualification.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the first flight and the Critical Design Review is planned for 2024 but selection was 12 months later than originally planned. Under the original schedule, LRIP contracts could have been awarded as early as 2025. The army has stated it would like the first FLRAA-equipped units to be in place by 2030.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Protecting the horizon]()
-
![Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network]()
Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network
Singapore’s acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon will be part of a maritime domain awareness network that could include unmanned aerial systems.
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF]()
DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
