Essex Industries has been selected as a supplier for the Bell V-280, which is proposed for the Department of Defense’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The initial phase of this program will be a Joint Multi-Role Technical Demonstrator (JMR-TD), scheduled to see its first flight in 2017.
Essex is under contract for the JMR-TD sidestick and power lever grips as well as the pedestal assemblies. Similar in design to those Essex supplies to Bell for the 525 Relentless, the V-280 grip assemblies have been modified to accommodate mission-specific functional requirements, while the pedestals are identical to the commercial 525.
According to Robert Geisz, Global Account Executive, “Our selection as supplier for the V-280 program extends both our strong relationship with Bell and Essex’ presence in the rotary-wing market.”
The Future Vertical Lift program is expected to ultimately replace 2,000 to 4,000 medium-class utility and attack helicopters.