Bell Helicopter [TXT] yesterday said Moog Inc. (MOG.A and MOG.B) will design, manufacture and qualify an integrated flight control system, consisting of flight control computers, support software, and flight control actuation, for the Bell V-280 Valor™.
Bell was awarded a Technology Investment Agreement by the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) for a Joint Multi-Role (JRM) Technology Demonstrator
Phase 1. Other companies with agreements are AVX Aircraft Company, Karem Aircraft Inc., and Sikorsky Aircraft Co. [UTX] (Defense Daily, Oct. 4).
“Moog is a premier flight control system provider, and we are pleased to team with them on our third-generation tiltrotor–the Bell V-280 Valor,” said John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. “Moog’s experience and innovation helps us deliver the highest levels of maturity and technical readiness required for the U.S. Army’s future vertical lift missions.”
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| V-280 Valor Image: Bell Helicopter |
Warren Johnson, president of Moog’s Aircraft Group, said: “We have a long history of working with Bell Helicopter and are delighted to be part of Team Valor. We made the strategic decision to align our interests and resources with Bell Helicopter on this key program and believe the Bell V-280 will be the most advanced, operationally-effective vertical lift solution, providing our warfighters an unparalleled combination of range, speed, and combat capability.”
Team Valor is comprised of leading aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin [LMT], bringing the best engineering resources, industrial capabilities, and critical thinking in the industry to meet the Army’s needs (Defense Daily, Sept. 10). Additional team members will be announced in the coming weeks.
The transformational features of Bell’s third generation tiltrotor represent the most operationally effective aircraft for the Army’s Future Vertical Lift requirements.
With increased maintainability and component and systems reliability, the Bell V-280 is designed to deliver the best value in procurement, operations and support, and force structure.
Doubling the speed and range of conventional helicopters, the Bell V-280 Valor will offer commanders a combat maneuver platform with unmatched operational agility to self-deploy and perform a multitude of vertical lift missions currently unachievable in today’s aircraft.