Bell’s V-280 Valor

Bell Helicopter has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to develop the V-280 Valor for the US Army’s FVL (Future Vertical Lift) program. Bell has just linked the airplane’s body to the wings and nacelles of the V-280 Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) jet.

This V-280 tilt-rotor comes with a cost-effective design, intended to be have a huge payoff in terms of agility and speed performance. It can launch quickly due to its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and has a 280kt expected cruising speed. It is also able to hover at low-speed due to its helicopter-like fixed wings range.

Lisa Atheron, Bell Helicopter’s EVP of Military Business Development stated the aircraft is scheduled to launch for its first flight by September 2017. So far, there has been no delays in the building process which builds confidence for the set date. The flight test will allow Bell to enter into the Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase completely.

The next deadline to meet will be the installment of the T64-GE-419 engine and gearboxes this following November.