Spirit AeroSystems completes first Bell V-280 fuselage
The company celebrates the completion of the first V-280 Valor fuselage to Bell Helicopter for the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) program.
Spirit’s rapid prototyping facility in Wichita, Kansas, designed and assembled the unit in 22 months. The composite fuselage will ship to Bell’s Amarillo, Texas, facility for final assembly.
“Delivering a fuselage from design to completion in 22 months is an amazing accomplishment,” said Spirit President and CEO Larry Lawson. “Spirit’s unique capability to design, build and deliver with the highest quality and lowest possible cost make us a great partner on revolutionary programs like the Bell V-280.”
The U.S. Army-led JMR-TD program is the science and technology precursor to the Department of Defense’s Future Vertical Lift program, with the goal to replace 2,000 to 4,000 medium-class utility and attack helicopters. The V-280 Valor is Bell Helicopter’s offering for the JMR-TD program.
More information: www.spiritaero.com
