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Advanced / Transformational Technology

Bell Has Flown V-280 Autonomously, With FLRAA Competitive Demo Downselect Set For Early March

By Matthew Beinart

Thursday, January 9th, 2020

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Bell Has Flown V-280 Autonomously, With FLRAA Competitive Demo Downselect Set For Early March

The Bell V-280 Valor. (Bell Flight)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Bell’s [TXT] V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft completed a successful autonomous test flight in December, as the company readies for an Army downselect decision in March to continue forward in the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program. Ryan Ehinger, Bell’s program manager for V-280, said the technology demonstrator aircraft performed the full range of autonomous flight requirements during the test, including automated takeoff and landing, conversion into cruise mode, and precision navigation. “I am very happy to be…

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