How the US Army’s FLRAA decision can affect other helicopter programmes
Bell has received an FLRAA contract worth up to $1.3 billion. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Following the award of the US Army’s largest helicopter procurement in decades to the Bell V-280, questions remain as to what this means for the US's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competition and helicopter procurement elsewhere.
Bell Textron’s V-280 Valor won the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition last week, and the company has received a contract worth up to $1.3 billion with the initial obligation estimated at $232 million over the next 19 months.
As reported by Breaking Defense, US Army officials discussed how they arrived at the decision during a call with reporters in early December.
‘We were seeking the best value approach,’ said Maj Gen Robert Barrie, the US Army’s Program Executive Officer for aviation. ‘Using… the requirements that the army had for us, we then had an evaluation using folks
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![FCAS programme to launch Phase 2 by mid-2026, say French officials]()
FCAS programme to launch Phase 2 by mid-2026, say French officials
Developed by France, Spain and Germany, the European 6th-generation combat air programme is progressing apace with new milestones expected by next year after delays to the programme.
-
![Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris]()
Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris
Airbus says it will aim to have a working prototype of the MQ-72C Logistics Connector by the end of the decade as it bids for a contract with the US Marine Corps.
-
![UK MoD awards Ascent with eight-year contract to upgrade RAF and Royal Navy flight training]()
UK MoD awards Ascent with eight-year contract to upgrade RAF and Royal Navy flight training
Funding of £300 million will go towards training personnel on the FIRCTS programmes to meet a growing demand for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) platforms.
-
![Next generation jammers ordered for Royal Australian Air Force and US Navy Growlers]()
Next generation jammers ordered for Royal Australian Air Force and US Navy Growlers
The order includes jammers for Australian EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft follows an order for deployment on US Navy Growlers in December last year and an announcement in March that full-rate production was near.
-
![Uncertainty remains as Trump boasts F-55 and F-22 Super aircraft programmes]()
Uncertainty remains as Trump boasts F-55 and F-22 Super aircraft programmes
While details are light after the President’s comments, the US Air Force (USAF) has long needed to boost its fighter aircraft capabilities, according to USAF and analyst viewpoints.
