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
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
-
![US Army extended-range CUAS missile ramjet work to continue through December 2029]()
US Army extended-range CUAS missile ramjet work to continue through December 2029
Northrop Grumman’s US$18.8 million XRC propulsion contract runs through December 2029, but performance targets and the pathway to operational fielding remain undisclosed.
-
![Saab’s GlobalEye gains ground as Canada’s aircraft procurement tilts towards Europe]()
Saab’s GlobalEye gains ground as Canada’s aircraft procurement tilts towards Europe
Canada’s interest in negotiating a procurement of Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft signals its readiness to reduce its reliance on US defence technology as trade tensions with its North American neighbour mount.
-
![US Air Force CCA programme to achieve multiple milestones in the coming months]()
US Air Force CCA programme to achieve multiple milestones in the coming months
The US Air Force is preparing to select mission-autonomy software, fire a missile from the FQ-42 Vengeance and test both CCA designs alongside crewed fighters at 2026 Emerald Flag.
-
![South American EW demand balances capability against cost]()
South American EW demand balances capability against cost
South American air forces are weighing advanced electronic warfare capabilities against limited budgets as Peru selects Viper Shield and BAE Systems targets smaller airborne platforms.
-
![Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?]()
Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?
The two sixth-generation fighter programmes could battle for engineering talent and production lines before deliveries begin, testing Boeing’s industrial expansion plans.
