Bell V-280 Valor
- Bell Helicopter
- Lockheed Martin
The Bell V -280 Valor is a tiltrotor aircraft change of the third generation, the Bell Helicopter and the U.S. defense and technology company Lockheed Martin Corporation is being developed for the United States Army Future Vertical Lift ( FVL ) program of the American helicopter manufacturer. Presented was the V -280 Valor 2013 on the 'Army Aviation Association of America 's ( AAAA ) Exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas. The first flight is scheduled for 2017.
Future Vertical Lift ( FVL ) Program
The armed forces of the United States have the Future Vertical Lift ( FVL ) program proclaimed in 2007. The aim is to replace the Sikorsky UH -60 Black Hawk, Boeing AH- 64 Apache, Boeing CH -47 Chinook to create and Bell OH -58 Kiowa. Before it creates a flying machine in the FVL it must be the hurdle of the Joint Multi - Role ( JMR ) program to create, at the end of the flight unit must complete its maiden flight in 2017.
Candidates of the FVL are:
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Boeing in cooperation
- Bell Helicopter
- AVX Aircraft
- Karem Aircraft
Development
On June 5, 2013 Bell Helicopter was known that the design of the V -280 by the U.S. Army for the Joint Multi - Role ( JMR ) Technology Demonstrator ( TD) phase is approved. This classified U.S. Army V -280 design as Category I offer. The classification means the classification as well - thought out, scientifically and technically relevant to the program objectives, possibility for armed missions, feasibility by reputable suppliers with competent scientific and technical staff to achieve the objectives of the program.
On September 9, 2013 Bell announced that its wish to V -280 in cooperation with Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed will provide computer - electronics units, sensors and weapons. In the following months other partners yet been announced, Moog Inc. for Flugkontrolsystem, GE -Aviation for the engines, GKN for the tail part and Spirit AeroSystems for composite hull.
On 2 October 2013, the U.S. Army was known to have a Bell Technology Investment Agreement provided for the JMR program. This agreement also received the three competitors of the FVL program. It includes $ 6.5 million and relates to Phase I of the JMR program, which includes the further development of the technology and the interface.
On October 21, 2013 Bell presented a model of the V -280 in full size.
Design
The V- 280 is a cruising speed of 520 km / h is expected, according to Bell ( 280 kph, 320 mph) reach. Top speed is 560 km / h ( 300 kph, 350 mph ) lie. The range is 3,900 kilometers ( 2,100 nautical miles or 2,400 miles). The effective combat range will be 930-1480 km. The payload will be at around 4,500 kg. The crew is 4 men be in addition eleven fully equipped soldiers can be carried.
A big difference to the V- 22 Osprey is that the two engines are rigidly installed in the wings, while the rotors and the drive shaft are tiltable. The drive shaft extends over the entire wing length and connects the two rotors. If one of the engines fail, the still -functioning engine drive both rotors. The V- 280 will have a retractable landing gear, a triple redundant fly-by -wire system and a V-shaped rear end. The wing is reinforced from a single carbon fiber plastic piece. In the landed state of the wings of the V -280 is about 2.10 meters off the ground. This allows the entrained soldiers not only easy to get out of the 180 cm wide doors on both sides, but will gunners offer a wide field of fire.
The final configuration of the engines is not yet clear, but are likely to CFE738 ( 5,520 kW) come from GE in question.