The Bell V-280 Valor has reached a flight speed of 80 knots and is flying at an altitude of 1,000 ft above ground level as it progresses through its test campaign.
The V-280 Valor tilt-rotor aircraft is being tested at its Amarillo, Texas, assembly center.
So far the test points demonstrated are ground taxi, hover taxi, low altitude hovering maneuvers including 360° pedal turns and forward/aft/lateral repositions, 40 knots roll on landings, and forward flight out to 80 knots.
Bell began ground testing of the V-280 Valor in October and made its first flight in December 2017.
The V-280 Valor is described by Bell as the next generation of vertical lift aircraft for the U.S. military.
Its development program is part of the Joint Multi Role Technology Demonstrator. Partners on the program include Lockheed Martin, GE, Moog, IAI, TRU Simulation & Training, Astronics, Eaton, GKN Aerospace, Lord, Meggitt and Spirit AeroSystems-collectively referred to as Team Valor.
February 27, 2018
