REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — The Army accepted its first MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft virtual prototype on June 24.
Bell Textron, the original equipment manufacturer contracted to design and build the FLRAA weapon system, will deliver two virtual prototypes, or VPs. The first was delivered to Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama. Bell is scheduled to deliver the second VP to the Army later in June to the Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker.
“The delivery of the MV-75 Virtual Prototype highlights the transformational power of digital engineering in aircraft development,” said Brig. Gen. David Phillips, Program Executive Officer for Army Aviation. “Thanks to consistent support from Army leadership, the Department of Defense, and Congress, we’ve been able to accelerate the FLRAA program and bring next-generation aviation capabilities to the warfighter faster than ever.”
As reported by Clarksville Now in December 2022, the Bell Textron’s Valor tiltrotor will eventually replace the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, utilized by 5th and 6th Battalions, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. The recently-named “MV-75” is scheduled to begin arriving at Fort Campbell in 2030, and the Army is exploring options to accelerate the process as part of the Army’s Transformation Initiative.
About the simulator
The VP development used an innovative acquisition approach beginning with the middle tier of acquisition rapid prototyping pathway. After a successful Milestone B decision in June 2024, the FLRAA program transitioned to the engineering and manufacturing development phase of a major capability acquisition program…