[YouTube] On Monday, the Army announced that Bell’s V-280 Valor has won the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition aimed at fielding a modern replacement for the legendary UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The contract award, potentially worth as much as $1.2 billion, will fund ongoing development of the platform heading toward a production contract worth tens of billions of dollars.
But many have voiced concerns about the Valor's ability to do the job... So we set out to find answers to your most pressing questions.
My take on this as a light infantry guy from the 101st that flew in UH-60s:
I love the fact it is so much faster. I love the fact it can carry 25% more weight for the same squad size (sling load heaven). We never touched our UH-60s down on the ground to unload. A stationary helicopter is a very juicy target. It came in at 10-15mph about 4-5 feet off the ground and we chucked our rucksacks out and jumped. (Really sucked at Camp Lejeune where we had a carpet of plants on a tidal flat and it looked like solid ground at 4 feet, but there was 5 feet of water under that.) With the side doors, that looks possible.
With the UH-60, we could land in very tight LZs in the woods that were technically tighter than the diameter of the rotor. It can take off branches 4in diameter just fine and we did on a regular basis. With the larger V-280, some smaller but closer LZs are not available and you may be landing light infantry 5km further back. That is a long fucking walk with a full combat load and a 80lb pack. 30 minutes to 1 hour away. Also medivacs may have to land farther away. Goodbye golden hour in some situations.
There are trade offs, just like every other military system.
If we are really fighting in the South China Sea, this system will be a godsend and really be useful. If we are fighting in tight jungles, it could be a huge pain in the ass and more trouble than it is worth. I would argue to keep some UH-60 like capability for the jungle type scenario while making the V-280s.
Best of both worlds.
Related:
V-280 Valor: 2022-12-06 Army chooses Bell's tilt-rotor aircraft over Sikorsky's helicopter for $1.3 billion Black Hawk replacement contract
V-280 Valor: 2016-08-30 EXCLUSIVE: Meet Bell's V-247, Armed Tiltrotor Drone For Marines
V-280 Valor: 2022-12-06 Army chooses Bell's tilt-rotor aircraft over Sikorsky's helicopter for $1.3 billion Black Hawk replacement contract
V-280 Valor: 2016-08-30 EXCLUSIVE: Meet Bell's V-247, Armed Tiltrotor Drone For Marines
Related:
UH-60 Black Hawk: 2021-08-19 Dozens Of U.S.-Bought Afghan Air Force Aircraft Are Now Orphaned At An Uzbek Airfield
UH-60 Black Hawk: 2021-02-03 National Guard helicopter crash kills 3 in Idaho
UH-60 Black Hawk: 2020-08-30 PICTURED: Two members of elite Night Stalkers helicopter unit killed when their Black Hawk crashed on island used to train Navy SEALs
UH-60 Black Hawk: 2021-08-19 Dozens Of U.S.-Bought Afghan Air Force Aircraft Are Now Orphaned At An Uzbek Airfield
UH-60 Black Hawk: 2021-02-03 National Guard helicopter crash kills 3 in Idaho
UH-60 Black Hawk: 2020-08-30 PICTURED: Two members of elite Night Stalkers helicopter unit killed when their Black Hawk crashed on island used to train Navy SEALs