Bell's V-280 Valor is Rockin and Rollin

The US Army is replacing the Blackhawk with the V-280:

www.defensenews.com...

a reply to: Fools

Hey, I agree with you, Fools ... and plus, there are 2 rotors and so 2 potentially vulnerable engines and rotors for incoming fire damage ...

Can this bird fly with only one engine? If not, 2 = 0, just like 1 equals none, basically ... just much more expensive for the close in type missions.

More on the win. Also, it should be noted the V-280 flew waaaaaay before the Defiant got off the ground and had far, far less problems during testing.

www.flightglobal.com...

a reply to: anzha
Since the Bell V-280 Valor has been selected to replace the Blackhawk, the V-280 could be designated UV-26, since the US Army now plans to use this aircraft for utility and assault roles. If the V-280 goes into production for the Army, it will provide the US Army with a tilt-rotor capability because the V-22 Osprey serves the Air Force, Marines, and Navy. Unlike the V-22 Osprey, however, the V-280 has never had any setbacks in its flight test program.

a reply to: Fowlerstoad

Like the Osprey it has a driveshaft that runs through the wing allowing for single engine operation in an emergency.

a reply to: Potlatch

The V-280 has had the luxury of capitalizing on all the flight data collected from the MV-22...

Now for the next program: FARA.

originally posted by: anzha
The US Army is replacing the Blackhawk with the V-280:

www.defensenews.com...

Let’s hope it’s not similar to the fiasco of the Army ASU (grey) camouflage race with the USMC superior digicam. Vs USMC V-22 Osprey to Army V-280.

Sikorsky filed a protest of the FLRAA decision, claiming that the two bids were not consistently evaluated. GAO has until April 7 to reply. No work or money can happen until after the decision is made.

www.defensenews.com...

www.flightglobal.com...

do you feel it? The disturbance in the force?

a reply to: anzha

Color me shocked.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Is that pink? red? orange?

seems like it has a lot of hard to miss vital target areas..other than that I like it..its gonna be fast.

a reply to: didntasktobeborned

That's any rotorcraft.

a reply to: anzha

Red with purple and pink polka dots.

a reply to: didntasktobeborned

I've been in slow moving Sea King helicopters that have been under fire. It is amazing how many times the fire just punches holes in sheet metal and misses the vital parts, including me.

The GAO denied the protest, clearing the way for Bell to begin building the Valor.

www.defensenews.com...

You think Sikorsky got a payoff to do something for some other agency?

a reply to: Blackfinger

No, I think the GAO saw that Valor was far more mature and developed.

breakingdefense.com...

The surprising one for me was the 'marginal' score for the testing by Bell.

a reply to: anzha
We didnt like some bits but the rest we will roll into our next project in other words.