Spirit AeroSystems-Built Fuselage Supports First Flight of Bell Helicopter-Designed Vertical Lift Aircraft

A Spirit AeroSystems-built fuselage was used on the first flight of the Bell Helicopter-designed V-280 Valor aircraft at the latter’s Amarillo, Texas-based facility.

Spirit AeroSystems said Wednesday it developed the aluminum sub-structured fuel fuselage in under 22 months at its Kansas-based facility in support of the Bell V-280 Valor program.

The Bell V-280 Valor program supports the Joint Multi Role Technology Demonstrator project which will serve as a precursor to the future Defense Department future vertical lift program.

Krisstie Kondrotis, senior vice president at Spirit Defense, said the company supports Team Valor and will work to aid the development of the V-280 air vehicle concept demonstrator competitive prototype for the U.S. Army.

Bell Helicopter, a Textron subsidiary, led the first flight of the V-280 next-generation tiltrotor aircraft which aims to fulfill requirements of the U.S. military for a vertical lift platform.