As part of its Future Long Range Air Assault program, the US Army wants to replace its UH-60 Black Hawks with a new and significantly more powerful transport and multi-role helicopter from 2030. Among other things, a cruising speed of 520 km/h and an operational radius of 550 kilometers are required. https://militaeraktuell.at/revolutionaeres-cockpit-konzept-von-bell-lockheed-martin/ There are currently two technology demonstrators: Sikorsky’s SB-1 Defiant coaxial aircraft and Bell’s V-280 Valor (Valor = bravery) tiltrotor. Following the start of development of the V-280 in 2013, a first mock-up was shown in the same year, followed by the maiden flight on December 18, 2017 and the first flight with the rotors fully tilted forward on May 11, 2018. A speed of 350 km/h was achieved, which has since been gradually increased. The innovative rotorcraft will ultimately have a payload of around 4,500 kilograms. It will be crewed by four men and will also be able to transport eleven fully equipped soldiers. A major difference to the Bell-Boeing V22 Osprey is that the two engines are installed horizontally in the wings, while the rotors can be tilted. The drive shaft extends across the entire wingspan and connects both rotors. Should one of the engines fail, the still functioning engine can power both rotors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic-tW8JVfK4
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