The recently installed components have now flown for more than 12 hours on V-280 test flights, including the recently completed autonomous flight testing.

The Bell test pilots were happy with the seamless integration of the newly installed parts, noting that the V-280 continued to exhibit ‘excellent responsiveness’ through test maneuvers. This has made the V-280, which recently celebrated completion of its second full year of flight tests, one of the first military aircraft flying successfully with thermoplastic components.

Ryan Ehinger, Vice President and Program Director at Bell, said: “We are always looking across Team Valor for new opportunities to incorporate advanced technology to add value for our customers. GKN Aerospace’s thermoplastic ruddervators are a great example where we were able to add value and reduce risk for future programs.”

Krisstie Kondrotis, President of Defence, GKN Aerospace, added: ”We are proud to be part of Team Valor and to advance our design work for the Bell V-280 Valor’s V-tail. It is very exciting that our cutting-edge thermoplastic technology is now successfully integrated and flight tested on the state-of-the-art Bell V-280 Valor.”