These programmes are part of the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift initiative to improve vertical lift dominance with next-generation capabilities.

Bell was recently selected for the competitive demonstration and risk reduction phase on the FLRAA programme, which is intended to replace the UH-60 Blackhawk in the Army’s fleet. Bell’s candidate aircraft for the FLRAA programme is the V-280 Valor. Astronics has been selected by Bell to develop the electrical power generation, conversion, and distribution system for the V-280. The development programme is expected to be executed over the next 18 to 24 months.

Bell was also awarded a competitive prototype contract for the FARA programme, which is the planned replacement for the OH-58D Kiowa in the Army’s fleet. The Bell model in the FARA programme is the 360 Invictus. Again, Bell selected Astronics to develop the aircraft’s electrical power generation and distribution system.

The two efforts will incorporate Astronics’ CorePower solutions, employing electronic circuit breaker technology to deliver clean power that improves aircraft performance and reduces system weight. The contracts entail power system design and development, including integration services and preliminary hardware deliveries. Astronics airframe power systems serve on military and civil aircraft programmes worldwide.

Peter Gundermann, Chairman, President and CEO of Astronics, said: “Over the years, we have provided Bell with many innovative solutions for their aircraft. Our CorePower technology is designed into the Bell 505 and Bell 525 aircraft, which have benefitted from the flexibility, reliability, and efficiency our solid-state architecture provides. The success of these programmes led Bell to select us for their Bell 360 and V-280 platforms for the US Army’s FARA and FLRAA programmes, and we are pleased to participate.”