The V-280 Valor is a third-generation tilt-rotor vertical
lift helicopter being designed by the US-based aircraft manufacturer, Bell
Helicopter Textron. The helicopter is intended to meet the requirement of the
Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) programme supporting the
Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme of the US Army.
In April 2013 the V-280 Valor was launched at the Army
Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) annual professional forum and
exposition held at Fort Worth, US. The aircraft is designed to perform multiple
missions such as attack and transport with enhanced speed, maximum reach, and
greater payloads.
The V-280 Valor will offer greater control both at low
speeds and high speeds efficiently. The helicopter is currently in design
concept phase. Bell Helicopter displayed a V-280 Valor mock-up in October 2013
at AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington DC.
V-280 for the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) programme
The V-280 Valor helicopter was selected for the JMR-TD
Phase I programme in June 2013. The Sikorsky-Boeing team's coaxial-rotor
compound helicopter was also chosen for the programme.
The phase one of the JMR-TD programme will include the
development of the rotorcraft, while phase two will deliver mission systems for
the FVL programme. The $100bn FVL programme is expected to replace about 2,000
to 4,000 medium-lift rotorcraft in service with the US Army.
The V-280 Valor helicopter was classified as a category I
proposal, citing its ability to meet all the requirements of the US Army. The
technology investment agreement (TIA) for the JMR-TD was awarded in October
2013 and the flight testing is scheduled for 2017.
Here Are The First Images Of The First Bell V-280 Valor
Next-Generation Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Prototype. Source:
Side View Of The First Bell V-280 Valor
Next-Generation Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Prototype
From this point of view it appears even more futuristic….
As reported yesterday,
the first prototype of V-280 Valor, Bell’s candidate to the U.S. Army’s Joint
Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD), in the running to replace the
service’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters as part
of the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program, was spotted at Bell
Helicopter Amarillo Assembly Center attached to an engine test stand in
preparation for the engine tests required ahead of its first flight scheduled
next month.
In this post you can see a photograph, submitted by a
source who wishes to remain anonymous, that provides a side view of the V-280
prototype, registered N280BH.
Along with the retractable landing gear, a
triple-redundant fly by wire control system, and a V-tail configuration, the
main V-280 feature is the futuristic tilting gearbox design where the output
shaft is connected to the drive system through a spiral bevel gearbox that
transfers power to the fixed gearbox and proprotor gearbox, which rotates on
two big spherical bearings driven by a conversion actuator mechanism. In this
way, the gearbox is the only thing that rotates whereas the engines do not. Moreover,
a driveshaft runs through the straight wing, allowing both prop rotors to be
driven by a single engine in case of engine loss. Source: theaviationist.com
Bell V280 Valor prototype achieved 100% build completion
and moved one step closer to its first flight this fall! More Pics: HERE
Bell Helicopter
Bell's Blackhawk Replacement Turns Its Rotors for the
First Time: Here
Excerpt
A brand new tiltrotor aircraft turned on its engines and
twirled its oversized rotors this week. The Bell V-280 Valor is the first new
American tiltrotor since the MV-22 Osprey and a candidate to replace the UH-60
Blackhawk helicopter. First flight is scheduled for later this year.
The U.S. Military's Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program
seeks to replace the current crop of military helicopters with new designs.
Helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Blackhawk were introduced in the
early 1980s, and in the case of the CH-47 Chinook, the1960s. The helicopters
have been steadily updated over the years with new engines, new avionics and
other upgrades but are unable to take advantage of breakthroughs in aviation
technology.
First flight of Bell’s V-280 Valor:
Design features of V-280 Valor helicopter
"The V-280 Valor will offer greater control both at
low speeds and high speeds efficiently."
The V-280 Valor helicopter will integrate a clean sheet
design with a V-tail configuration and fuselage of composite construction. The
wings will be made of large cell carbon core.
The helicopter is designed to carry four crew members and
11 troops. It will feature two spacious 1.83m side doors for convenient entry
and exit of armed forces. The aircraft will be fitted with a conventional
retractable landing gear for better control during take-off and landing.
Bell Unveils Single-screen V-280 Cockpit: Here
Excerpt
Bell Helicopter is unveiling a single-screen instrument
panel concept for its V-280 Valor next-generation military tiltrotor. The panel
currently is installed in the V-280 mock-up, which will be on display in the
Pentagon’s courtyard from June 2 to 4. The panel display is a collaborative
effort among Bell, partner Lockheed Martin and Los Angeles-based Inhance
Digital; the companies have been working together on the concept for the last
18 months.
While the team is likely a decade away from developing a
system for a flying aircraft, it already has some definite ideas about its
architecture. Bell was able to draw on technology developed for Lockheed
Martin’s F-35 fighter, including “smart helmets” with PDAS (pilot displayed
aperture systems), as well as ideas from commercial off-the-shelf technology.
“The pilots who will be flying this aircraft are today’s eight-year-olds,” said
Jeremy Chavez, project engineer on the V-280 program. “The aircraft would
become operational during the 2025 to 2030 time frame, so we looked at trends
where cockpits were heading: more touchscreen interactive capabilities. We
looked at the technology currently on the commercial market and who the pilots
will be operating the aircraft in that time frame. They have grown up with iPads,
pinching and swiping screens. That kind of thing will be highly intuitive to
them.”
V-280 Valor helicopter engine
 |
| Bell |
The power plant of the V-280 Valor helicopter will
include two turbocraft engines coupled to three-bladed tiltrotor and drive
units. The non-revolving and fixed engines will make the helicopter more stable
during hover mode, and will provide better control.
"The aircraft will offer greater fuel efficiency
resulting in smaller logistical footprint compared to other aircraft."
The engines will be placed at the tip of the helicopter
wings. The helicopter will be able to operate with a single engine in the event
of loss or damage of the other engine.
GE will provide installation and test support of the
T64-GE-419 engines for the Bell V-280 Valor demonstrator aircraft. Bell
Helicopter plans to use a version of the Future Affordable Turbine Engine
(FATE) in the production version of the Valor. Source: textron.com
GE T64-419 engine
T64-GE-419: 4,750 shp
Compressor: Axial flow
Compressor Stages: 14
Turbine Stages: 2 HP + 2 LP
FADEC: No
Length: 79 in (2.01 m)
Diameter: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Compressor Stages: 14
Turbine Stages: 2 HP + 2 LP
FADEC: No
Length: 79 in (2.01 m)
Diameter: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Source: fi-powerweb.com
Performance of V-280 Valor
The V-280 Valor helicopter will have a maximum cruise
speed of 518km/h. It will have a combat range of 500nm to 800nm. The helicopter
will offer twice the speed as well as range of the existing vertical lift
helicopters.
It will be capable of operating at very hot temperatures
of up to 95° and flying at an altitude of 6,000ft.
The helicopter will be a self deployable platform, unlike
other helicopters requiring logistic support for shipping to area of operation.
It can be strategically self-deployed to a range of 3,889km.
Contractors involved
Bell Helicopter Textron partnered with Lockheed Martin
for the development of the V-280 Valor, in September 2013.
Moog was selected by Bell Helicopter Textron in October
2013 to design, manufacture and qualify an integrated flight control system for
the helicopter. The system will include flight control computers, support
software, and flight control actuation.
GE Aviation was selected to provide propulsion system for
the Bell V-280. GKN Aerospace was contracted to design, develop and manufacture
the V-tail aerostructure and ruddervators. Spirit AeroSystems agreed to design,
develop and manufacture fuselage for the helicopter.
Bell Helicopter Textron also teamed with AGC Composites
and Aerostructures to design, develop and manufacture the over wing fairing for
the V-280 helicopter.
Source: bellhelicopter.com
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