BELL V-280 Valor makes first ever cruise mode flight

The newest V-280 Valor light tiltrotor aircraft by Bell has completed another milestone in its flight testing by flying in “cruise mode.”

This is when the rotors pivot, in flight, from vertical lift mode to fully forward facing. According to Bell, the aircraft then reached 190 knots of true airspeed.

According to the company’s press service, the flight was completed on May 11 at Bell’s assembly facility in Amarillo, Texas. While the airspeed for the test was limited to 190 knots, the team will now gradually expand the Valor’s flight envelope to achieve the type’s goal of 280 knots at cruise.

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More: A new electrical tiltrotor will be developed in Russia by 2019

The Bell V-280 Valor provides warfighters strategic options, operational reach, tactical agility and overmatch at the point of decision. The Bell V-280 Valor design supports ground maneuver and is purpose built for the squad plus enablers.

More: Bell/Boeing rolls out 350th V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft

Safe and survivable, the design features integrated cabin armor, fly-by-wire component redundancy, state of the art countermeasures and performance. Bell’s design to build technology used on the V-280 Valor significantly enhances manufacturing, assembly, and sustainability, while greatly reducing the total cost of ownership. Advanced tiltrotor speed and range provides commanders access not currently available.

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Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

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