Bell Textron has unveiled a new fuselage assembly site in Wichita, Kansas, dedicated to the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. This initiative aims to replace the aging UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters with modern tiltrotor aircraft, marking a significant advancement in military aviation capabilities.
The assembly facility, strategically located near Bell’s Aviation Defense Center at Beech Field, will manage all production activities for the FLRAA project. This operation will be bolstered by Bell’s extensive manufacturing network in Texas, ensuring a robust support system for the undertaking. Additionally, further fuselage development will take place at Bell’s Advanced Composite Center in Fort Worth, while the final assembly of the aircraft will occur in Amarillo. The company anticipates activities at the Wichita site will commence within the next few months.
As the program progresses into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, Bell’s CEO and President Lisa Atherton emphasized the company’s commitment to advanced manufacturing techniques, aimed at delivering high-performance aircraft at an affordable cost. She highlighted Textron’s longstanding history with Kansas and Wichita, expressing pride in reinforcing these ties through the establishment of the new facility.
Bell Textron was awarded the prime contract for the FLRAA system development in December 2022, with its V-280 Valor selected as the airframe for the program. The V-280 is designed to incorporate various components sourced from a range of partners. Notable contributions include Safran providing the high-voltage generator, Eaton supplying hydraulic systems, GE Aerospace responsible for avionics, and Astronics managing electrical power and distribution systems. Additionally, CAE will deliver flight simulators for the necessary aircrew training related to the program.
The U.S. Army cleared the V-280 Valor for its prototyping phase in August, with plans for the first production aircraft to be delivered by 2030. The V-280 Valor measures 51 feet in length and has a seating capacity for 14 personnel. Its dual Rolls-Royce AE turboshaft engines enable a maximum speed of 320 miles per hour, an operational altitude of up to 6,000 feet, and a mission range of 920 miles, showcasing the significant capabilities this aircraft brings to future U.S. Army operations.
