Breaking news
SAS 2016: Bell unveils V-280 Valor naval variant.
| 2016
Bell's
V-280 Valor naval variant scale-model showcased at SAS 2016 |
|||
A
modular platform, the naval version of the Valor will be able to perform
wide range of missions: anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, airborne
mine warfare, utility and logistic missions, personnel recovery, counter
fast attack craft and fast inshore attack craft. But according to Bell
Helicopter, the Valor naval variant will come in two different versions
: one operating from the DDG vessels and one utility variant for the CVN.
The DDG variant will be shortened by a few inches in order to allow the helicopter to fit in destroyer's hangar. This version will have an external payload capability of 8,000 lbs and will accomodate up to eight fully-equiped troops. The DDG compatible V-280 will have an operational radius of up to 2100 nm thanks to inflight refuelling capability. |
|||
Bell Helicopter's artistic rendering of the DDG compatible V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft (Credit: Bell Helicopter) |
|||
The
CVN compatible variant will keep the same airframe than the US Army and
will be primarly dedicated to utility and logistic missions. Cargo hooks
will give it a lift capacity to carry a 10,500 lb, while the cabin will
carry up to 12 troops. Both variants will be designed for a cruising speed of 520 km/h and a 25,000 ft maximum ceiling. The Bell V-280 Valor is a third-generation tilt-rotor concept being developed by Bell Helicopter and several industrial partners for the United States Army's Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. In June 2015, Bell Helicopter's subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems began assembly of the composite fuselage for the first prototype V-280 Valor, which was delivered in September 2015. |
|||
An artistic rendering of what could become the naval utility variant of the V-280 Valor (Credit: Bell Helicopter) |
|||