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The Airframer Bulletin

Airframer · Bell V-280 Valor · Bell Helicopter Textron
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Every Bulletin story and press release covering Airframer · Bell V-280 Valor · Bell Helicopter Textron, newest first.

31 items

2026
18 June The first wing, completed in February, was fabricated with 90% fewer labour hours compared to the initial V-22 wing build.

Bell completes first two wing structures for the MV-75

The next step of the build assembly involves mating the wing structures with the fuselage, currently being assembled at the Wichita Assembly Center, and the Nacelle, which is also progressing through assembly.

30 April Production has already begun at the site, which forms part of a wider US manufacturing network supporting the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft programme.

Bell opens Wichita line to build next-generation Cheyenne

The facility will manufacture fuselages for the US Army’s FLRAA as part of an accelerated programme aimed at delivering a faster, longer-range aircraft.

22 April Modular system design ensures the aircraft can adapt as mission requirements evolve.

Bell MV-75 development continues under Cheyenne II designation

The aircraft's long-range assault capability is expected to reshape how forces are deployed in contested environments, enabling faster response across further operational distances.

2024
19 December Mark Foust (Northwest ISD Superintendent), Robert Allen (President of the Fort Worth EDP), Mattie Parker (Fort Worth Mayor), Andy Eads (Denton County Judge), Greg Abbott (Texas Governor), and Lisa Atherton (President and CEO, Bell).

Bell picks Denton County for FLRAA components

Bell is committed to establishing future manufacturing locations to deliver the first fielded aircraft by the early 2030s and do its part to revolutionise U.S. Army aviation.

7 August The United States Army has approved the Milestone B decision for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, marking the beginning of the weapon system’s Program of Record.

Bell’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft enters milestone B

The aircraft will fly twice as far and twice as fast as the current fleet. By utilising mature tiltrotor technology coupled with an innovative digital engineering approach it will be reliable, affordable and high-performing.

2023
31 August Doubling the speed and range of conventional helicopters, the Bell V-280 Valor will provide unmatched operational agility to self-deploy and perform a multitude of vertical lift missions currently unachievable.

Moog gains design contract for Bell's V-280 Valor

Works will include ruddervator, flaperon and swashplate actuators, active force feel inceptor system, pylon conversion actuators, flight control computers, power converter units and some hydraulics.

2022
5 December

ReleaseTextron's Bell V-280 Valor chosen as new U.S. Army long-range assault aircraft

2021
1 July The V-280 Valor tiltrotor future vertical lift technology demonstrator is retired from flight.

Bell pitches flight-tested Valor for the army's FLRAA

The V-280 Valor has marked the completion of its three-year flight-test program with a series of demonstrations to highlight its revolutionary performance during more than 214 hours of flight.

2020
17 March

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor team selected to continue in Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competition

2019
18 December

ReleaseBeyond expectation: the Bell V-280 Valor delivers results

21 May

ReleaseV-280 Valor scores top marks during low-speed agility testing

24 January

ReleaseRecord performance at Bell: V-280 Valor reaches 280 knots true airspeed

2018
18 December

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor – first year of flight proves the future of vertical lift is now

16 May

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor makes first ever cruise mode flight

2017
18 December

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor achieves first flight

9 November

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor prototype completes 75 degree conversion

4 October

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor prototype begins restrained ground run test operations

6 September

ReleaseBell V-280 Valor prototype achieves 100% completion

17 April

ReleaseBell helicopter to exhibit future of warfighting at Army Aviation Summit

2016
11 May

ReleaseBell Helicopter completes successful V-280 Valor wing and fuselage mate

2015
15 June

ReleaseMajor assembly starts on Bell V-280 Valor fuselage

2014
14 October

ReleaseBell Helicopter, IAI announce cooperative agreement

13 October

ReleaseT65-GE-419 engines to power Bell V-280 Valor demonstrator

9 May

ReleaseBell Helicopter, Meggitt announce cooperative agreement

5 May

ReleaseBell Helicopter, Eaton announce cooperative agreement

2013
18 October

ReleaseAGC Composites and Aerostructures to manufacture over wing fairing for Bell V-280 Valor

17 October

ReleaseGKN Aerospace to manufacture Bell Helicopter's V-280 Valor “V-Tail”

9 October

ReleaseMoog to design, manufacture flight control system for Bell V-280 Valor

8 October

ReleaseArmy awards JMR-TD program technology investment agreement with Bell Helicopter for next-generation tiltrotor demonstrator

9 September

ReleaseBell Helicopter and Lockheed Martin team on V-280 Valor

10 April

ReleaseBell Helicopter introduces the Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor at AAAA