New Bell product - Bell V280
It is a very impressive looking machine - and Bell has done very well in getting this far this quickly.
But I wonder about that full width glass panel - and the DAS system - is that going to be on initial models, or planned for later or only Spec Ops variants?
Couldn't see any standby steam gauges - maybe they were out of shot.
These machines aren't going to be cossetted JSFs on carriers or airbases - they'll be dropping troops and operators in the dust and be worked very hard.
Having sat in a few RAAF Blackhawk RH seats (on the ground) and ridden in RNZAF UH-1Hs over the years - serviceable but battered and worn instruments and hardware were the norm.
Let's hope they build those sensors and panels tough.
A map with a bullet through it is still a map...
But I wonder about that full width glass panel - and the DAS system - is that going to be on initial models, or planned for later or only Spec Ops variants?
Couldn't see any standby steam gauges - maybe they were out of shot.
These machines aren't going to be cossetted JSFs on carriers or airbases - they'll be dropping troops and operators in the dust and be worked very hard.
Having sat in a few RAAF Blackhawk RH seats (on the ground) and ridden in RNZAF UH-1Hs over the years - serviceable but battered and worn instruments and hardware were the norm.
Let's hope they build those sensors and panels tough.
A map with a bullet through it is still a map...
Last edited by tartare; 19th Dec 2018 at 21:11.
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Maybe it's just me but I don't get it. The Osprey has a great record for killing folks and a horrible record for safety and we want to follow that path for development? Nothing wrong with improving what we have, this is not an improvement but it is taking a step backwards.
The V22 has not been much in the news lately for any accidents even though it seems to be flown fairly extensively, even at high profile events such as Fleet Week here in NYC.
Perhaps the design concept has shaken down sufficiently and is now achieving promise.
Innovation is always a target of the reigning Technology
Maybe it's just me but I don't get it. The Osprey has a great record for killing folks and a horrible record for safety and we want to follow that path for development? Nothing wrong with improving what we have, this is not an improvement but it is taking a step backwards.
Today, the V-22 has a better safety record than all other military helicopters and is the preferred method of transport for special ops and VIPs.
Low Speed Goals Met
From AvWeek:
Well done. 300 Kts and helicopter maneuverability is the Holy Grail.
Bell has achieved Level 1 handling qualities with the V-280 Valor, demonstrating that the advanced tiltrotor has low-speed agility that matches or betters that of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk ...
Bell posted this video of the V-280 performing Level 1 handling quality flight testing. Impressive considering the size of aircraft. Especially in light that the Blackhawk does not achieve full Level 1 performance.
Last edited by CTR; 25th May 2019 at 17:43.
Increased V-280 Activity
Been a lot of activity in last few weeks with much of it apparently being demos and training. Rapid takeoff with high bank angle turn into pattern looks awesome, but most impressive is the high speed low altitude airplane mode pass over the Bell hangers.
Apparently a big demo to the Army brass going on right now. Anyone know if this wraps the program as they have exceeded all program goals with nothing left to prove?
Apparently a big demo to the Army brass going on right now. Anyone know if this wraps the program as they have exceeded all program goals with nothing left to prove?
Been a lot of activity in last few weeks with much of it apparently being demos and training. Rapid takeoff with high bank angle turn into pattern looks awesome, but most impressive is the high speed low altitude airplane mode pass over the Bell hangers.
Apparently a big demo to the Army brass going on right now. Anyone know if this wraps the program as they have exceeded all program goals with nothing left to prove?
Apparently a big demo to the Army brass going on right now. Anyone know if this wraps the program as they have exceeded all program goals with nothing left to prove?
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/a...280bh#225074f6
Last edited by SansAnhedral; 1st Oct 2019 at 19:29.
As to your post: the Bell PR office is looking for new copy, I guess.
The aircraft is performing well, so hyperbole seems unnecessary.
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Sultan, you are slipping, it's nearly a year since you put 5h1t on Sikorsky on this thread.
Lift your act, or Bell will stop paying you royalties.
Lift your act, or Bell will stop paying you royalties.
AC
The FVL program that covers the V-280 and SB-1 started in 2013 and was originally scheduled to end in September 2019. The V-280 basically met all of the program milestones. The SB-1 apparently still has not progressed much beyond hover. The latest Marine RFI has scheduled a Nov - Jan response window with the requirements being derived from the original program’s results. It is not the fault of Bell that Sikorsky has nothing from its SB-1 effort.
As the program was originally scheduled to end in Sept and the requirements for the production version have been defined it seemed logical that the 280 would rap up with a big demo to program stake holders (like flown today).
The FVL program that covers the V-280 and SB-1 started in 2013 and was originally scheduled to end in September 2019. The V-280 basically met all of the program milestones. The SB-1 apparently still has not progressed much beyond hover. The latest Marine RFI has scheduled a Nov - Jan response window with the requirements being derived from the original program’s results. It is not the fault of Bell that Sikorsky has nothing from its SB-1 effort.
As the program was originally scheduled to end in Sept and the requirements for the production version have been defined it seemed logical that the 280 would rap up with a big demo to program stake holders (like flown today).
This is all before they even approach the real colossal hurdle, which is the vibration outside of static hover. The Defiant program is an unmitigated disaster to date.
Sans,
Any idea if the transmission problem is directly related to the ABC concept? Simplistic analysis would say as you grow an ABC in size the rotor moments (which are already in the extreme on smaller versions) go up significantly while Xmsn case stiffness goes down. At some point the mast bearings can’t handle the loads or deflections become so high the case breaks or gear alignment is impacted.
Or is it they just can’t manufacture gearboxes like on the CH-53K?
Any idea if the transmission problem is directly related to the ABC concept? Simplistic analysis would say as you grow an ABC in size the rotor moments (which are already in the extreme on smaller versions) go up significantly while Xmsn case stiffness goes down. At some point the mast bearings can’t handle the loads or deflections become so high the case breaks or gear alignment is impacted.
Or is it they just can’t manufacture gearboxes like on the CH-53K?
Bell V280 Performs Low Fly By at Fort Worth Alliance Air Show October 19, 2019
No computer generated graphics required ;-D
Go to Bell Facebook link.
https://www.google.com/search?client...10.IHKZz2SN-7Y
Go to Bell Facebook link.
https://www.google.com/search?client...10.IHKZz2SN-7Y
Last edited by CTR; 20th Oct 2019 at 19:44.
Another View
Flyby at 12:00. Was worried they aborted when they returned to the flight test center immediately after takeoff, but they were just returning to meet up with their chase jet before departing to the show. Imagine needing a jet trainer/attack jet to keep up with a rotorcraft. What does Sikorsky use? A Cessna 172?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u4jvQzx2CZY&t=685s#fauxfullscreen
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u4jvQzx2CZY&t=685s#fauxfullscreen
Last edited by The Sultan; 20th Oct 2019 at 23:30.
