Currently, Bell Helicopter Textron is testing and fine-tuning the promising V-280 Valor tiltrotor intended for participation in the US Army's Future Vertical Lift competition. The prototype V-280 has been undergoing flight design tests for a long time and has since shown part of its capabilities. So, in recent weeks, the developer company has published new messages on the achievements of its tiltrotor several times.
Speed growth
According to the terms of reference for the FVL program, the cruising speed of the new aircraft must be at least 280 knots (518 km / h) - this is the parameter indicated in the Bell project index. With such characteristics, the promising FVL type prototype will become a successful and more effective replacement for the existing UH-60 multipurpose helicopters.
In mid-April, a regular conference of the US Army Aviation Association took place, during which Bell representatives disclosed new data on the V-280 project. Testing continues as scheduled and the prototype demonstrates the required performance and capabilities. At the same time, a certain potential has been established for further growth of parameters.
According to the development company, by that time the total duration of the V-280's tests had reached 200 hours - of which half the aircraft was spent in the air. The prototype has also consistently set several "personal records". Within a few months, he developed speeds of 100, 200 and 300 knots (185, 370 and 555 km / h). However, so far the flights are carried out without a full payload.
It is noted that the obtained performance characteristics meet the requirements of future customers and show the high potential of the design. So, the army wants to get an aircraft with a cruising speed of 280 knots, and the Marine Corps requires 295 knots (546 km / h). In its current form, the Bell V-280 Balor has a certain speed margin, which in a real situation can be "exchanged" for the required carrying capacity.
Agility issues
In mid-April, representatives of Bell Helicopter spoke about their plans for the near future. After the completion of flights at maximum speed, it is planned to carry out regular checks of equipment at low speeds and altitudes, including to determine maneuverability. Also, the experienced V-280 had to show its capabilities for the transportation of goods and passengers, including with their landing.
New test results were reported on May 21st. Representatives of the developer company claim that the experienced tiltrotor confirmed the calculated characteristics. At low speeds, the machine maintains good controllability in all three axes and is capable of solving the assigned tasks. In this respect, the aircraft fully complies with the tactical and technical requirements.
In the near future, they should also undergo tests with the transportation of goods and passengers, as well as with the landing of personnel. The V-280 cargo-passenger cabin has a pair of side doors similar to the UH-60 helicopter, which makes it easier for people to board and disembark. In April, plans were mentioned for testing with the landing of fighters in the hover mode. It was argued that dropping the rope and lowering the soldier would be easier, since they are in the aerodynamic shadow of the wing and are not negatively affected by the flow from the propeller, as in helicopters.
According to the latest reports, all major low speed and hover maneuverability tests have been completed. Experienced V-280 Valor successfully coped with them and confirmed the calculated characteristics corresponding to the customer's requirements.
Established benefits
According to the terms of reference, a promising aircraft of the FVL program should have a cruising speed of 280 knots and show a range of 1400-1500 km. In terms of carrying capacity, it should surpass the existing multipurpose helicopters. In the future, the winner of the FVL program will enter the series and will replace the existing obsolete types of helicopters. Vehicles with higher characteristics will give the troops obvious advantages.
First of all, the army and the ILC will be able to take advantage of the higher flight speed. The resulting cruising speed of the V-280 tiltrotor is about 55% higher than the corresponding parameter for UH-60 helicopters. Thus, the delivery of the same or larger cargoes to the destination is simplified and accelerated. Unloading or dropping capabilities are generally unchanged - with the exception of some small advantages.
V-280 Valor receives modern electronic equipment for various purposes, simplifying piloting and solving basic tasks. The possibility of installing specialized systems for certain missions is not excluded. In the future, the tiltrotor can receive weapons of different types. Both machine gun mounts for self-defense, and holders for missiles or bombs - depending on the customer's requirements.
Thus, the Bell V-280 Valor aircraft and other developments under the FVL program are considered as a better replacement for the existing multi-role helicopters, which show different characteristics. At the same time, the increase in flight performance is associated with the use of non-standard design solutions.
On a competition basis
The Future Vertical Lift program initially involved several organizations with different projects. So far, only two members remain in FVL - the V-280 Valor project from a consortium led by Bell Helicopter and SB> 1 Defiant from Sikorsky and Boeing. Currently, both projects are at the stage of flight tests of experimental equipment.
A rival project from Boeing and Sikorsky offers an alternative aircraft option. SB> 1 Defiant is built according to the rotorcraft scheme with coaxial rotors and a pusher tail rotor. The main screws must provide the creation of a lifting force, while the translational movement is carried out only due to the pushing one located in the tail. This scheme has its own advantages and disadvantages, which will be confirmed in the course of ongoing trials.
The first flight of SB> 1 took place just over two months ago, and testing of this machine is still in its early stages. Nevertheless, they should not be delayed, since a number of research and practical problems have been solved earlier with the help of the experimental aircraft Sikorsky X2. This will, to a certain extent, speed up work on the new Defiant.
Due to the recent start of tests, Sikorsky / Boeing SB> 1 has not yet had time to show all its characteristics, and therefore it is necessary to operate only with their calculated values. Thus, the expected cruising speed using a pusher propeller will reach 250 knots (463 km / h), but in the future it should increase. In the foreseeable future, Sikorsky and Boeing plan to carry out SB> 1 remotorization, which will increase power and flight characteristics. As a result, their aircraft in terms of its parameters should catch up with the Bell V-280 Valor and come in line with the technical specifications of the army.
A full test cycle of two promising new types of aircraft should be completed within the next few years. After that, the army and the ILC of the United States will be able to make their choice and sign contracts for the mass production of equipment.
Who will win?
Who will win the FVL program is still not clear. At the moment, given the current state of affairs, the favorite is the project of the group of companies led by Bell. Their V-280 Valor has already confirmed the main features and capabilities. Further refinement will lead to new positive consequences and, probably, to gain additional advantages over the competitor.
The SB> 1 rotorcraft from Sikorsky and Boeing looks less successful against the background of its competitor. He recently took to the air and is still making his "first steps". In addition, this car still has a temporary configuration, which reduces its real performance. However, the situation will change in the future - remotorization is quite capable of making SB> 1 the leader of the competition.
Whether the current situation will change in the future is unknown. However, at the moment, the V-280 Valor aircraft should be considered the favorite of the FVL program. He managed to confirm his characteristics and no longer needs long-term refinement, unlike a competitor. However, customers will only make a final decision in the future.
