Eaton, Astronics join in Bell Helicopter's V-280 program

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 6 (UPI) -- Bell Helicopter has entered into cooperative agreements with Eaton and Astronics Advanced Electric Systems for its V-280 Valor tilt-rotor aircraft program.

Under the agreements, Eaton will supply hydraulic systems for the aircraft, while Astronics will provide power distribution systems.

John Garrison, president and chief executive officer off Bell Helicopter, said his company is pleased Eaton and Astronics made “the strategic decision to join our growing team of aerospace leaders and help develop our third generation tilt-rotor, the Bell V-280.”

“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 tilt-rotor technology more affordable,” he said.

The V-280 Valor is being developed for the U.S. Army's Future Vertical Lift program. It features maintainability and component and systems reliability and provides twice the speed and range of the U.S. Army’s current fleet.