View Full Version : Bell 280 hits 322 MPH
SASless
25th Jan 2019, 13:28
Now this is interesting.....things are speeding up out there!
https://breakingdefense.com/2019/01/bell-v-280-flies-322-mph-army-secretary-praises-program/?fbclid=IwAR1Exe96thduyh6G-qKdtva4iJqlnZLWR74LyVf8ftCHgWeZnXe_C34D7n8
atakacs
25th Jan 2019, 13:41
I believe the V22 can do 275... Not saying it isn't a nice achievement but not groundbreaking
I believe the V22 can do 275... Not saying it isn't a nice achievement but not groundbreaking
Relative to the achievements chalked off by the FVL competition, this is groundbreaking. Consider how long from first flight to max speed it took for the V-22. Not to mention that after four years the Raider still has not achieved its promised much lower max speed.
The Sikorsky and Boeing engineering team are currently busting their butts getting the Defiant to First Flight. And they have my respect. But they more than anyone else the SB>1 probably respect and recognize the groundbreaking FVL schedule achievements of Bell. The little guy in the FVL competition with Goliaths.
atakacs
25th Jan 2019, 21:30
Oh ok it isn't the actual speed achieved but the time it took to get there in the program. Understood.
The Sultan
26th Jan 2019, 08:35
Ata
Your missing the point. The 280 is an improved tiktrotor design with increased agility and fixed engines with all of associated benefits (minimizing surface heating, improved firing arcs, simpler engines, etc...).. Itt was never meant to be significantly faster than the V-22, but was meant to have significantly better hot/high performance. The time to max speed is only relevant with respect to showing the maturity of the technology and technical prowess of the developing organization.
The 280 program has done what it needed to do. It has already demonstrated superior performance and lower technical risk as compared to the SB-1.
The list of V-280 achievements go on to include major reductions manufacturing and maintenance costs. Not just promises, but validated by applications of similar technology on Bell commercial products.
In my opinion however the most amazing V-280 achievement was meeting a very aggressive customer program schedule that few in the industry thought possible. Not even the “Dream Team” comprised of the two largest defense contractors in the world came close to what Bell achieved in 5 years.
JohnDixson
26th Jan 2019, 17:42
Sultan, I’m curious as to the cruise tip speed?
rrekn
27th Jan 2019, 01:36
I think we will see the V-280 as the winner of this program. Higher speed, longer range and list risk. Well done Bell.
Wonder what the military designation will be? UH-65? MV-25?
I think they are a pretty good ways away from top speed still - a few friends tell me more than 280 kt was achieved and that was still without the full set of gear doors installed.
Maybe they should dispense with gear doors like on the 737 and other aircraft. Sometimes they are more problems than they are worth.
Droop Snoot
28th Jan 2019, 21:21
Maybe they should dispense with gear doors like on the 737 and other aircraft. Sometimes they are more problems than they are worth.
That's exactly what was done with the CH-53K nose gear doors. Fewer parts, higher reliability, lower weight. Higher drag? Meh!
The Sultan
29th Jan 2019, 05:03
So it appears the V-280 program will finish its demo effort before the SB-1 even flies:
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bell-to-roll-back-v-280-funding-until-us-army-compet-455337/
How embarrassing for Sikorsky-Boeing, especially when it was Sikorsky who blocked Bell’s request to slip the original demo schedule.
They corrected me actually, its not the doors themselves but an actuator supplier who cant seem to get their act together.
I think you would want full doors at those speeds to prevent buffet vibration getting to various components.
A 737 flys a lot faster than 280 Kts and does not require separate actuated doors over the wheels. You just design it properly to minimize buffeting.
300 Kts Sans Doors Sansanhedral :-)
Perhaps the added drag from not having doors is not the negative the aero guys thought? So for production the V-280 can dispense with actuated doors and save cost, weight, and improve reliability.
FYI. The reused Cessna Citation gear used on the V-280 also did not have actuated doors.
SplineDrive
1st Feb 2019, 01:29
In my opinion however the most amazing V-280 achievement was meeting a very aggressive customer program schedule that few in the industry thought possible. Not even the “Dream Team” comprised of the two largest defense contractors in the world came close to what Bell achieved in 5 years.
Hats off to the Bell team, definitely. I do laugh when anyone suggests a partnership of equals like Boeing and Sikorsky (or Boeing and Bell, for that matter) accelerates anything. I’ve worked in such partnerships several times... I value what’s left of my career enough to not do it again.