The Bell V-280 Valor has been flying for a year

Bell Helicopter celebrated in December 2018 the first anniversary of the inaugural flight of the V-280 Valor.

In one year, the V-280, developed as part of the US Army’s Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) program, has logged nearly 85 flight hours and more than 180 hours of operation. The convertible flew at a speed of more than 463 km/h (250 kts) and made 50-degree banked turns at 200 knots indicated airspeed. Sustained flights at 11,500 feet altitude 

(3,505 m) were conducted. In addition to the low and high speed handling tests, the V-280 has completed a ferry flight of over 600 km (370 Nm).

Encouraged by the progresses accomplished in one year, Bell confirms the continuation of tests within the entire flight envelope to validate all the performance parameters set out in the initial specifications. 

“This anniversary is an important milestone as we provide options for the U.S. Army to meet its vision for a modernized force in the near future and regain overmatch in vertical lift,” said Vince Tobin, executive vice president for military business at Bell.