Bell selects Fort Worth site to build V-280s for the FLRAA programme
The V-280 tiltrotor was selected by the US Army for its FLRAA programme. (Photo: Bell Textron)
The facility will work towards readiness for Low-Rate Initial Production on the V-280 by 2028.
Bell Textron has selected a site for its facility to support production on the US Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).
The 447,000 sq ft factory will be located in Fort Worth, Texas and will be dedicated to FLRAA component manufacturing, Bell said. Its V-280 Valor aircraft was selected for the FLRAA programme.
Bell plans to begin facility modification and equipment installation to ready the facility for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) by 2028.
Related Articles
US Army finally moves forward with FLRAA next-generation rotorcraft programme
“The Army is committed to delivering the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft providing the speed, range and endurance needed to conduct effective air assault, MEDEVAC and resupply missions for future Large Scale Combat Operations,” said Brig. Gen. David Phillips.
“It is great to see our industry partners share in that commitment by investing in state-of-the-art facilities to produce the Army’s first ‘born digital’ aircraft weapon system.”
The US Army FLRAA contract was awarded to Bell in December 2022, while the acquisition decision memorandum – the document that meant that the Army could start to look at options to push ahead with engineering and manufacturing development phase of the FLRAA – was passed in August 2024.
The FLRAA is a programme to develop a replacement for the S-70 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
US Army acquisition executive Douglas R. Bush said previously that it would not act as a like-for-like replacement, but instead would “provide assault and Medevac capabilities for the future Army, adding significantly increased speed, range and endurance”.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Northrop gets $3.5 billion contract to integrate mission systems for E-6B successor]()
Northrop gets $3.5 billion contract to integrate mission systems for E-6B successor
The E-130J aircraft will take over the E-6B for the US Navy’s Take Charge and Move Out system.
-
![Embraer expands European footprint with new Portugal subsidiary]()
Embraer expands European footprint with new Portugal subsidiary
The subsidiary will be named ‘Embraer Defense Europe’ and work to strengthen the company's foothold on the continent.
-
![Romania receives three more F-16 deliveries and recommits to European training]()
Romania receives three more F-16 deliveries and recommits to European training
Romania has welcomed three more F-16 jets from Norway, rounding the total number up to 15.
-
![South Korea starts mass assembly of its MUAV]()
South Korea starts mass assembly of its MUAV
Construction of the Busan-based production facility has also now been completed, with the new medium-altitude reconnaissance drones destined for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) by 2028.
-
![USAF’s B-52J upgrade advances with new engine review success]()
USAF’s B-52J upgrade advances with new engine review success
Rolls-Royce has announced that its F130 engine passed its Critical Design Review (CDR), a key milestone towards the B-52J upgrade for the US Air Force (USAF).
