Bell Helicopter To Exhibit Tiltrotor Innovations at AUSA 2016

Bell Helicopter is to display its newest tiltrotor innovations, the V-280 “Valor” mock-up and V-247 “Vigilant” unmanned aerial system model at 2016 Association of the US Army (AUSA) 2016 show next week.

A V-280 virtual reality experience will allow participants to step into different Valor mission scenarios, making it possible to more fully observe and understand the capabilities of the V-280 tiltrotor in an augmented environment.

Mitch Snyder, president and CEO at Bell Helicopter said in a company's statement Friday, “The tiltrotor technology of the V-280 Valor and V-247 Vigilant will stretch the dimensions of the battlefield, and Bell Helicopter will continue to challenge the traditional notion of flying so that our military can efficiently protect our freedom.”

The Bell V-247 Vigilant, Bell Helicopter’s newest tiltrotor is designed to provide long-endurance persistent expeditionary and surveillance capability and lethal reach, as well as runway independence to operate successfully in maritime environments and locations without secure runway availability.

The Vigilant offers original features including a modular payload system to provide maximum flexibility and power distribution system to provide maximum mission capabilities. It provides extended range flying from land or ship, expeditionary capabilities, and has the ability to remain on-station with heightened loiter times for extended periods. In a two-ship configuration, the Bell V-247 Vigilant can provide 24-hour sensor coverage to effectively control the battle space. The aircraft could be available for production in 2023.    

The Bell V-280 Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) mockup will also be on display, offering a sneak preview into the near future of vertical lift. The V-280 Valor tiltrotor converts vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability into a tactical, operational and strategic advantage for the warfighter. The first flight of the V-280 Valor is scheduled for the second half of 2017.