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2023-01-01

Bell Valor Wins U.S. Army’s FLRAA Contract

The U.S. Army has awarded the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract to Bell Textron Incorporated, based on Bell’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor that was developed and tested as part of the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR TD) programme that began in 2013.

The Army initiated the FLRAA programme in 2019 as part of its Future Vertical Lift initiative to replace a portion of its assault and utility helicopter fleet. The FLRAA is intended to eventually replace the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which has been in service for more than four decades.

With over twice the speed and range as current weapons systems, the Bell V-280 has been presented as a proven long-range manoeuvre solution.

Exceptional Range

The V-280’s exceptional range capability and strategic lift deployment options increase operational flexibility in responding to military action or humanitarian assistance missions.

Combining the speed and range of the turboprop with advanced agility greater than a traditional helicopter, it offers better flight performance and lifecycle sustainability.

Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, explained: “The thoughtful and disciplined execution of the FLRAA programme strategy will deliver the transformational capabilities we need to support the Joint force, strengthen deterrence and win in multi-domain operations.”

“We are honoured that the U.S. Army has selected the Bell V-280 Valor as its next-generation assault aircraft,” noted Scott C. Donnelly, Textron’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We intend to honour that trust by building a truly remarkable and transformational weapon system to meet the Army’s mission requirements.”

Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell, added: “This is an exciting time for the U.S. Army, Bell, and Team Valor as we modernise the Army’s aviation capabilities for decades to come. Bell has a long history supporting Army Aviation and we are ready to equip Soldiers with the speed and range they need to compete and win using the most reliable and affordable high-performance long-range assault weapon system in the world.”

Thorough Testing

This award builds on a decade of the V-280 Valor’s progress through design, manufacturing, and thorough testing to demonstrate that this aircraft will deliver on the FLRAA programme requirements. Bell and its industry partners have methodically validated the V-280 aircraft and their modular open systems approach in collaboration with the Army.

“This down-select represents a strategic pivot for Army Aviation to the transformational speed and range our Army needs to dominate future battlefields,” stated Maj. Gen. Walter Rugen, director of the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team. “The prototyping and risk-reduction efforts allowed the Army to significantly reduce the time needed to get to the announcement.”

FLRAA will expand the depth of the battlefield by extending the reach of air assault missions and enabling ground forces to converge through decentralised operations at extended distances. FLRAA’s inherent reach and standoff capabilities will ensure mission success through tactical manoeuvre at operational and strategic distances.

“I am proud of the entire team and our aviation enterprise partners,” stated Maj. Gen. Robert Barrie, Programme Executive Officer, Aviation. “They’ve worked diligently to ensure that the Army delivers a new, vertical lift capability that meets its modernisation objectives.”

Disciplined Process

The Army followed a deliberate and disciplined process in evaluating proposals to ensure rigorous review and equitable treatment of both competitors.

“For the past several years the Bell team demonstrated the exceptional operational capabilities, digital thread synergies, and platform affordability enhancements the V-280 provides,” pointed out Keith Flail, executive vice president, Advanced Vertical Lift Systems at Bell.

Joseph Giunta Jr., senior contracting official for Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal, noted: “Our ability to support this critical Army aviation modernisation programme is a testament to the outstanding commitment and capabilities of our contracting professionals across the acquisition workforce. The FLRAA award reinforces our ability to maximise the spectrum of authorities available in our contracting tool kit to meet high-priority Army needs.”

By implementing reform initiatives granted by Congress that were designed to streamline the acquisition process, this contract will deliver virtual prototypes that can be updated quickly and affordably. These virtual prototypes will directly support design, integration, training and developmental test activities.

The initial contract refines the weapon system design, sustainment, digital enterprise, manufacturing, systems integration, flight-testing, and airworthiness qualification .

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