Collins Aerospace to Provide Avionics for Bell’s Vertical Lift Aircraft Prototype

Textron's Bell subsidiary has partnered with Collins Aerospace as it works to develop a prototype for the U.S. Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program.

The United Technologies Corp.'s business unit said Thursday it will provide avionics software and hardware for Bell’s vertical lift aircraft prototype and use model-based systems engineering processes and tools to facilitate the integration of mission avionics and other capabilities into the FARA platform.

“By teaming with Bell, we can reduce the overall lifecycle costs and risks associated with this next generation of aircraft and effectively meet the FARA objectives in multidomain threat environments,” said Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager for Collins Aerospace's military avionics and helicopters.

Bell was one of the five companies selected by the Army in April to come up with initial designs for the FARA program. The company’s FARA prototype will leverage technologies aboard Bell 525 and V-280 Valor helicopters.