Bell tiltrotor to replace U.S. Black Hawk

The U.S. Army has selected Bell’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which has been flying since the 1970s


BELL V-280 VALOR: Tiltrotor design allows rotors and driveshafts to pivot while engine nacelles remain in place

Engines: Two Rolls-Royce AE 1107F turboshafts

Fuselage
Composite construction

V-tail and ruddervators

Retractable undercarriage

Both rotors can be driven by single engine in case of engine loss

Plan view


Side doors: Allow troops to quickly enter and exit, and provide door gunners with wide field of fire

Vertical flight
Can take off, land and hover like conventional helicopter

Forward flight 
Speed, range and payload superior to helicopter


Attack variant (projected)

Gun turret

Internal bay and outboard pylons for guided missiles and rockets


Specifications	V-280		UH-60     
Cruise speed 	518km/h 	268km/h
Range 		1,480km 	520km
Useful load 	5,440kg 	4,695kg
Crew 		4 		2
Troops 		14		12


Sources: Army Technology, Global Security, Janes, Lockheed Martin, Reuters 
© GRAPHIC NEWS