Bell V-280 Valor wins FLRAA Black Hawk replacement contract
The Bell V-280 Valor design builds on the company’s experience in designing and producing the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor. (Photo: Bell Textron)
The US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract awarded to Bell marks the US Army’s largest helicopter procurement in 40 years. Here is everything you need to know about the programme.
The US Army has made its decision in the competition to build the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), the service’s largest rotorcraft procurement in 40 years.
The initial award for this element of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) capability is worth up to $1.3 billion and the V-280 design is set to replace around 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters from 2030.
FLRAA does not serve as a one-to-one replacement for the Black Hawk - it will take over the roles the Black Hawk carries out.
The US Army tasked industry to start developing solutions for an FVL capability that could operate in the 2030s and
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity]()
Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity
The RQ-11 Raven is being retired from service across most of its more than 30 operators. Defence Insight estimates that these Raven retirements open up a replacement market worth at least $576 million, but suppliers will have to act quickly and strike a balance between cost and capability to succeed.
-
![Shield the warfighter, win the fight (video)]()
Shield the warfighter, win the fight (video)
BAE Systems’ Intrepid Shield™ approach delivers full-spectrum electromagnetic protection to detect, exploit, and counter advanced threats.
-
![August drone digest: AEVEX solidifies large US loitering munition market share as procurement models shift]()
August drone digest: AEVEX solidifies large US loitering munition market share as procurement models shift
AEVEX has strengthened its position in the US loitering munition market with another contract award, solidifying its position as the second-largest supplier of the capability in the US. Elsewhere in August, new and emerging programmes in Sweden and Germany point to a broader shift towards larger, rolling framework agreements for loitering munitions across Europe.
-
![US Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion F-15 contract to sustain Eagle fleet through 2037]()
US Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion F-15 contract to sustain Eagle fleet through 2037
The agreement supports F-15 production, modernisation and sustainment for the US and seven international operators.
-
![Saab re-emphasises Gripen hopes in the light of US-Canada trade tariff argument]()
Saab re-emphasises Gripen hopes in the light of US-Canada trade tariff argument
Saab Aerospace has seen as surge in orders for its Gripen fighter aircraft and GlobalEye airborne early warning and control systems, including an agreement to provide the latter to Canada, even as it positions Gripen for the same country.
-
![US Army seeks missile costing less than $150,000 to counter Group 2 and 3 drones]()
US Army seeks missile costing less than $150,000 to counter Group 2 and 3 drones
The service wants a rapid-response, extended-range interceptor compatible with the Coyote launcher and wider US Army air-defence architecture, with initial testing scheduled for late 2026.
