Air International 2020-04
K.Chapman - FLRAA Modernising the Army
The V-280 passes at high speed. This third-generation tiltrotor employs a remarkably different design to other aircraft in its class, such as the Osprey. It uses a V-tail, smaller wings and a sleeker, compound fuselage. It is also smaller than the V-22.
18 декабря 2017 г. на территории производственно-испытательного центра Amarillo Assembly Center компании Bell Helicopter состоялся первый самостоятельный полет летательного аппарата с поворотными роторами V-280 Valor. Новая машина создается в рамках американской военной программы Joint Multi Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) и рассматривается в качестве потенциальной замены ряда вертолетов армейской авиации.
V-280 N280BH (c/n 60105) in the hover at Amarillo on December 18, 2017. Bell has designed the V-280 with its T64 engines fixed in the horizontal plane, and a rotating (tilting) nacelle housing a fancy new drive system for the three-blade proprotors. On the V-22 Osprey, the engines are housed in the nacelles and rotate together.
Bell’s first Valor prototype (registration N280BH, c/n 60105) is seen hovering during flight testing. This angle provides a good look at the tiltrotor’s design, which follows a compound fuselage complete with a V-shaped tail instead of a tail rotor. The platform features side doors instead of a ramp and a tricycle landing gear, which is retractable. If selected, the V-280 would be the US Army’s first tiltrotor aircraft
Concept art of Bell's V-280 Valor in its assault configuration. Note the fuselage-mounted AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and what appears to be side-facing tube-launched weapons systems.
The US FLRAA programme is one element of a wider effort to upgrade or replace much of its rotary capability
The SB>1 continues its flight test campaign. This shot provides a good view of the rear of the platform, showing its eight bladed 'pusher propeller' and twin-engine exhausts.
The FLRAA is the replacement for the UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter; likely competitors include those based on the Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor (flying since 2017) and the Sikorsky Boeing SB-1 Defiant coaxial rotor compound helicopter.
The SB>1 Defiant is the largest platform produced by Sikorsky to employ its X2 technology.
The SB-1 Defiant is Boeing and Sikorsky's response to the US Army's requirement for a medium-lift utility helicopter under its Future Vertical Lift programme.