Bell has selected Rolls-Royce and Astronics to deliver systems for US Army’ FLRAA programme. Credit: Rolls-Royce.

Bell Textron has selected Rolls-Royce and Astronics Corporation to support the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) programme.

Rolls-Royce has agreed to deliver the propulsion system for the ‘refined’ V-280 Valor aircraft and an advanced Infrared Suppressor system.

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The collaboration will focus on offering a low-risk and reliable integrated propulsion solution to the army.

Bell FLRAA vice-president and programme director Ryan Ehinger said: “We are excited to work with Rolls-Royce to deliver a propulsion system that integrates game-changing performance with lifecycle affordability from the start to help our customers achieve their goals.

“Bell and Team Valor members are applying our collective vertical flight expertise to create aircraft capable of delivering a transformational capability to soldiers.”

Astronics will develop its CorePower airframe electrical generation and power distribution systems for the V-280 aircraft.

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The company will support the army’s FLRAA and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programmes.

Execution of the development programme is anticipated to take place over the next 18 to 24 months.

Astronics chairman, president and CEO Peter Gundermann said: “Our CorePower technology is designed into the Bell 505 and Bell 525 aircraft, which have benefitted from the flexibility, reliability, and efficiency our solid-state architecture provides.

“The success of these programmes led Bell to select us for their Bell 360 and V-280 platforms for the US Army’s FARA and FLRAA programs, and we are pleased to participate.”

Bell was selected for the demonstration and risk reduction phase on the FLRAA programme.

Once developed, Bell’s V-280 Valor aircraft will replace the US Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

Additionally, Bell won a competitive prototype contract for the FARA programme.

Bell’s 360 Invictus is to replace the US Army’s OH-58D Kiowa.

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