Bell Helicopters is currently working on the design of an advanced third-generation tiltrotor aircraft able to hit speeds of 300 knots, have a cruise speed of 280 knots, hover and maneuver like an helicopter while reducing the radar signature of the aircraft. The design is to have a range of 2,100 nautical miles and an effective combat range of 500 to 800.
The advanced tiltrotor is being engineered with stealthy characteristics and infrared (IR) heat suppressing systems. Bell is working on advanced technologies designed to reduce the heat emmisions from the twin engines. Unlike the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, the engines remain in place while the rotors and drive shafts tilt. A driveshaft runs through the straight wing allowing both prop rotors to be driven by a single engine in the event of engine loss. The V-280 will have retractable landing gear, a triple-redundant fly by wire control system and a V-tail configuration.
The Bell V-280 will be slightly bigger then a Black Hawk helicopter and able to carry up to 14 passengers including combat troops. The aircraft will integrate a high-tech 360-degree sensor suite similar to the one used on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The sensors around the aircraft will stitch the images together to supply a 360 degree view to both pilots including allowing the pilots to look straight down under the aircraft. The information will also be able to be passed to the troops in the back using special designed goggles giving them a view of the surroundings.
Bell will also offer an armed attack version with a gun, 2.75in folding-fin rockets and some type of missile including hellfire or some later generation missile guided by laser or IR technology. The Bell V-280 Valor is being developed under the the U.S. Army Joint Multi-Role program and is slated to be operational sometime after 2030.
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| A mock-up of a Bell V-280 |
