Rolls-Royce to provide propulsion system for Bell V-280 Valor

Rolls-Royce will provide the propulsion system for Bell's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft offering, the V-280 Valor, according to a June 21 company press release.

Bell is currently in a two-year competitive demonstration and risk-reduction phase for the competition alongside Sikorsky.

A downselect is expected in 2022 for FLRAA, a part of the Army's Future Vertical Lift modernization priority.

Bell earlier this year gave reporters a snapshot of the V-280 Valor during a piloted demonstration at the company's flight research center in Arlington, TX: speeds up to 300 knots, autonomous flying capabilities, 2G acceleration turns and more than 160 logged flight hours.

In addition to the propulsion system, Rolls-Royce will provide an advanced infrared suppressor system for the V-280 Valor.

"We are excited to work with Rolls-Royce to deliver a propulsion system that integrates game-changing performance with life-cycle affordability from the start to help our customers achieve their goals," Ryan Ehinger, Bell's vice president and program director for FLRAA said in a statement accompanying the press release. "Bell and Team Valor members are applying our collective vertical flight expertise to create aircraft capable of delivering a transformational capability to soldiers."

Rolls-Royce is the 12th company joining Team Valor, which includes the following companies: Bell; Astronics; Eaton; GKN Aerospace; IAI; Lockheed Martin; LORD; MOOG; Spirit AeroSystems; TRU Simulation; and General Electric.