The Valor isn’t a conventional helicopter. Rather, it’s a tiltrotor aircraft, a combination of a helicopter and a prop-driven airplane capable of vertical or linear flight.
The tiltrotor concept isn’t new but has both literally and figuratively struggled to get off the ground. As Fortune reports, the V-22 Osprey, the first aircraft to implement the concept, was criticized for its poor safety record and cost-effectiveness during its prolonged development from 1983 to 2000, enduring several crashes and other ignominious failures. The Osprey has continued support in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy, however (via Real Clear Defense). Tiltrotors have since been widely deployed on military and civilian drones (via Interesting Engineering).
The V-280 Valor is the most attention-grabbing deployment of tiltrotor aircraft yet. Built by Bell Flight, the Valor purports to be faster and more agile than a conventional helicopter, with a far greater operational range. In addition to its warfighting capabilities, Bell envisions roles for the Valor in medevac, utility, and humanitarian assistance.
Exact numbers on Valor production and deployment have yet to be released, but they are due to replace over 2,000 Black Hawks currently in service and may be deployed in other settings as well (via Military.com).
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Automobiles News Click Here
