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The US Army has confirmed that is has selected Bell Textron’s V-280 Valor for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft contract, with the program intended to “eventually” replace the UH-60 Black Hawk.
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As part of the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift initiative, the FLRAA aims to increase the range of rotary assault missions and support ground operations at greater distances.
Bell Textron overcame Lockheed Martin and Boeing’s Defiant X for the contract.
According to Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, the program will “deliver the transformational capabilities we need to support the joint force, strengthen deterrence and win in multi-domain operations.”
Black Hawks have been in service within the US Army for more than four decades.
Bell Textron’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor was initially developed as part of the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program.
According to the company, the initial contract is expected to refine the design of the weapon system, sustainment, manufacturing, integration an airworthiness qualification.
“This is an exciting time for the US Army, Bell, and Team Valor as we modernise the Army’s aviation capabilities for decades to come,” Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell, said.
“Bell has a long history supporting Army aviation and we are ready to equip soldiers with the speed and range they need to compete and win using the most mature, reliable, and affordable high-performance long-range assault weapon system in the world.”
[Related: Coalition calls for Black Hawk clarity]
