How the US Army’s FLRAA decision can affect other helicopter programmes

14th December 2022 - 17:00 GMT | by Norbert Neumann in London

RSS

Bell has received an FLRAA contract worth up to $1.3 billion. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Following the award of the US Army’s largest helicopter procurement in decades to the Bell V-280, questions remain as to what this means for the US's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competition and helicopter procurement elsewhere.

Bell Textron’s V-280 Valor won the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition last week, and the company has received a contract worth up to $1.3 billion with the initial obligation estimated at $232 million over the next 19 months.

As reported by Breaking Defense, US Army officials discussed how they arrived at the decision during a call with reporters in early December.

‘We were seeking the best value approach,’ said Maj Gen Robert Barrie, the US Army’s Program Executive Officer for aviation. ‘Using… the requirements that the army had for us, we then had an evaluation using folks

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Read this Article

Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account

Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
2 free stories per week
Daily news round-up email service
Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters

Create account

Unlimited Access

Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.

Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
Unlimited access to all published premium news

Start your free trial

Author

Norbert Neumann

LinkedIn

Norbert is the Aviation, Military Training & Simulation reporter at Shephard Media. Before joining Shephard in …

Read full bio

More from Air Warfare

IDEX 2025: Embraer pushes counter-UAV capabilities for its Super Tucano

Embraer is looking to position its Super Tucano aircraft to Middle Eastern countries at IDEX to join current customers Lebanon and Afghanistan.
IDEX 2025: China attacks the loitering munition market

At IDEX 2025, held in Abu Dhabi this week, an array of Chinese attack UAVs, primarily loitering munitions, have been on display.
IDEX 2025: Heven Drones’ Raider UAS aims for 2026 delivery date

The modular twin-fuselage, hydrogen-powered uncrewed aerial system has just been unveiled, with the company conducting final flight tests and maturing the product later this year.
Indian Air Force airlifter contract bidders push credentials at Aero India

The three main bidders aiming to replace India’s ageing An-32 and Il-76 transporter fleet were at Aero India to put their case, despite recent geopolitical pressures on the competition.
IDEX 2025: GA-ASI to unveil new exportable small UAS platform in June 2025

While the product remains in development, GA-ASI is looking to target the international market with a new small UAS, focusing on exportability.
IDEX 2025: Jump 20-X marks the spot for AeroVironment

AeroVironment showcased the Jump 20-X, an advancement of the company’s Jump 20 VTOL-capable fixed-wing UAV, at this year’s IDEX in Abu Dhabi.