Bell selects Materion SupremEX composite for FLRAA prototype

SupremEX material was sourced to reduce weight while maintaining strength and reliability for long-range tiltrotor aircraft operation.

Materion Corporation will supply its SupremEX metal matrix composite for components on Bell Textron’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) prototypes. The aircraft has been developed to deliver faster speeds, longer ranges and heavier payloads for the U.S. Army.

The composite was chosen for its lightweight and high-strength properties. Bell Textron, a Textron Inc. company, selected SupremEX as part of its configuration for the new tiltrotor aircraft and will build the prototypes.

Materion’s president of performance materials Clive Grannum says: “We look forward to working with Bell to equip the U.S. Army with a new aircraft design that provides greater reach and capability. FLRAA will play a vital role in U.S. Army operations and SupremEX composites will help enable greater capabilities in operation. These composites significantly reduce weight while maintaining their high-strength properties for long-term reliability.”

Bell’s senior vice president and programme director for FLRAA Ryan Ehinger adds: “We are pleased to welcome Materion to the FLRAA team. FLRAA will change the way U.S. Army aviators fight by providing significant increases in speed, range and reliability. We have a shared commitment to delivering this transformational capability to our warfighters.”

Materion’s products include specialty alloys, lightweight metal matrix composites and thin film coatings. The company provides materials to support aerospace and defence systems including FLRAA.