FORT WORTH, Texas, 5 May 2014. Officials at Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE:TXT), sought the optimal fuel system for the Bell V-280 Valor third-generation-tiltrotor. They found their solution at Meggitt Inc. in Rockmart, Ga.
“This program allows Meggitt to showcase its ability to design and produce complete aviation fuel systems after a long history pioneering the ballistically-resistant fuel tanks carried by nearly every US military aircraft in service today,” says Kevin Shaffer, global marketing director for Meggitt Polymers & Composite. “Meggitt has a longstanding relationship with Bell and we are delighted to be a part of this vital life-saving program.”
Bell Helicopter third-generation tiltrotor technologies within the Joint Multi Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) reduce risk and inform the requirements for the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The V-280 is designed to feature increased maintainability and component and systems reliability, while providing twice the speed and range of the U.S. Army’s current fleet. The Bell V-280 Valor will offer commanders a combat maneuver platform with the operational agility and effectiveness to self-deploy and perform multiple vertical lift missions, officials say.
“We are pleased Meggitt is making the strategic decision to join our growing team of aerospace leaders and help develop our third generation tiltrotor, the Bell V-280. Meggitt will be providing the fuel system for the V-280,” adds John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. “Team Valor continues to align interests and resources on this clean sheet design, together delivering technology and innovation that reduces cost, weight and complexity in order to make the next generation of tiltrotor technology more affordable.”
Bell Helicopter President and CEO John Garrison presents Meggitt’s Kevin Shaffer, global director of sales & marketing, and John Mlincsek, vice president of business development, with a Bell V-280 model at the 2014 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville, Tenn.
