During an event of the US Army Association, Brig. Gen Baker, the service’s Director of the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Cross Functional Team, unveiled a few details about the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) “version two” design.

Although the US Army and Bell are still working on getting pilots in the new platform by 2030, as scheduled, the service plans to leverage the revolutionary Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for at least 3 upgrades and follow-on interactions.

As reported by General Baker, the focus of this updated version of the program is to bring “new technologies in the cockpit” and enhance “the ability to communicate at longer distances.” In detail, the improvements should include new sensors for enhanced pilotage capability, advanced avionics, integration of drones and an expansion of air-launched effects.

In late 2022, the US Army selected the Bell’s V-280 VALOR tiltrotor to replace its UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopters’ fleet, with a potential investment of $70 billion when the program will move into production. After reviewing the FLRAA affordability, technological viability, safety and security, engineering, manufacturing, sustainment, and cost risks, the Army System Acquisition Review Council (ASARC) confirmed that all sources of program risks have been addressed, moving the program to the development of the aircraft which now enters the engineering and manufacturing development phase.

In accordance with the program requirements, the FLRAA will provide transformational capability for ground forces and aircrews with speed, range, and surprise to present multiple dilemmas to the enemy. This will expand the depth of the battlefield, extending reach and standoff capabilities and ensuring mission success through tactical maneuver at operational and strategic distances.

The cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), earlier this year, created a capability gap but also some opportunities for the FLRAA development. The use of air-launched effects — small drones that shoot out of the core platform mid-flight to collect info or strike targets — could represent a reconnaissance task gap filler using platforms like FLRAA.

Speaking with the media, Brig. Gen. Baker highlighted that there is no intention to redevelop the aircraft between version 1 and 2. He forecasts that it will likely take another year to draft FLRAA version 2 requirements before moving up the chain for approval, through US Army Futures Command. As the US Army transforms to meet future battlefield requirements, FLRAA is one of the most important new capabilities that will support the service's preparedness to fight.

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