Tiltrotor - Ringen er sluttet - Bell og Leonardo jobber sammen igjen med tiltrotor - AIN

 

Bell, Leonardo To Team on Tiltrotor Technologies

Bell and Leonardo inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to evaluate areas where they can work together on tiltrotor technology, building on their "multi-decade history of industrial cooperation," the companies announced yesterday at Heli-Expo 2024. “The cooperative effort will begin in earnest with the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Concept Study #5, where Leonardo will take the lead on a tiltrotor architecture proposal with Bell in support,” they said.

NATO’s NGRC project aims to develop replacement solutions to fill capabilities of medium multi-role helicopters currently operated by Allies that will reach the end of their life in 2035 to 2040. Under that program, rotorcraft OEMs are being challenged to leverage recent advances in technology, production methods, and operational concepts in developing these new aircraft.

“This cooperative effort between Bell and Leonardo reflects our shared vision that next-generation rotorcraft will be influenced by the speed, range, and maneuverability only tiltrotor technology can deliver,” noted Bell president and CEO Lisa Atherton. 

The MOU reunites the two companies that have had partnerships spanning decades, including on the AW139 and the AW609 program, which Leonardo outright acquired in 2011.

“We’re thrilled to evaluate new joint efforts for the next generation of rotorcraft technologies, based on our solid and shared view of the unique advantages of tiltrotors," added Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters.

Det kan være av interesse å friske opp litt med dette innlegget på bloggen den 13. februar 2012:

Heli-Expo 2012: AgustaWestland advances civil tiltrotor plans

11 February 2012 - 22:45 by Tony Osborne in Dallas, US

AgustaWestland is pushing forward with its plans to certify the AW609 civil tiltrotor under its own steam.

The company, which bought out Bell's share of the project in 2011, has stepped up flying rates on the two existing prototypes and is building new infrastructure in Italy and the US as test flying prepares to enter the certification testing phase at the beginning of 2013.
The company hopes to achieve certification under the FAA's 'Powered Lift' category for the first half of 2016.
The Bell-Agusta Aerospace Company, now wholly-owned by AgustaWestland, has been reformed as the AgustaWestland Tiltrotor Company (AWTRC) and operates out of a newly-built facility at Arlington Municipal Airport near Dallas, from where the first prototype is conducting test flying. Meanwhile, at Cascina Costa near Milan the company is building a new hangar and a runway that will allow STOL procedures to be developed allowing increased range and payload.
Previously, it has been suggested that a rolling take-off could allow the aircraft to increase its take-off weight to around 18,000 lb (maximum vertical take-off weight is 16,800 lb). With the range extended mission radius could be extended out to around 315 nautical miles.