Rotorcraft
Bell Applying 525 Technology to V-280
The Army expected to make a decision on its Joint Multi-Role Program, and Bell believes commonality with the civil 525 gives the Valor an advantage.

Bell Helicopter is applying systems designed for its 525 Relentless commercial medium twin to the V-280 Valor third-generation tiltrotor technology demonstrator it is developing for the U.S. Army as part of its Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Program for Future Vertical Lift (FVL).

The Army was expected to decide by the end of last month which two contenders from a field of four–including Bell, Sikorsky, Karem and AVX–will actually build aircraft. Those aircraft would need to fly in 2017 and Bell executives think the company’s experience with the 525 gives it a leg up in the contest.

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