Scott Nicholas
Textron‘s Bell Helicopter subsidiary has conducted the first flight of a next-generation tiltrotor aircraft built to help U.S. military clients meet requirements for a vertical lift platform.
Textron said Monday the V-280 Valor aircraft was designed to help users conduct various vertical lift missions previously infeasible using one aircraft as well as offer updated speed and range capacities for maneuver commanders.
“First flight demonstrates our commitment to supporting Department of Defense leadership’s modernization priorities and acquisition reform initiatives,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter.
“The Valor is designed to revolutionize vertical lift for the U.S. Army and represents a transformational aircraft for all the challenging missions our armed forces are asked to undertake.”
V-280 was built in support of the Joint Multi Role Technology Demonstrator program and combines resources and capacities from various members of the industry.
The V-280 development group collectively known as Team Valor includes Astronics, Eaton, General Electric, GKN Aerospace, IAI, Lockheed Martin, Lord, Meggitt, Moog and Spirit Aerosystems.
