Jul 20, 2016 11:00 AM

Gallery: The US May Finally Get a Cheap Alternative to the $70 Million V-22 Osprey

Bell Helicopter
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Bell Helicopter says its V-280 Valor offers today’s military a smaller, lighter, cheaper, and potentially more versatile spin on the tilt-rotor concept.
Bell Helicopter
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For less than a third the price of each $70 million Osprey, the Army will get nearly the same performance, along with a slew of benefits any military operation would savor.

Bell Helicopter
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Compared to its official competition, the Black Hawk, the Valor offers a serious upgrade in range (800 miles, compared to 360) and top speed (350 mph, instead of 183), along with the ability to deliver gear and soldiers into tight spaces.
Bell Helicopter
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Where the Osprey tilted the entire turbine engines to go between horizontal and vertical flight, the V-280 will only shift its 35-foot rotors and forward drive shafts.

Bell Helicopter
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Those non-rotating engines, meantime, won’t burn grass or landing pads during takeoff and landing.
Bell Helicopter
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The Osprey still holds the strength advantage, carrying roughly double the V-280’s 14 soldiers or 10,000 pounds of gear. But Bell says it can offer the V-280 for just $20 million a pop, compared to the Osprey’s $70 million price tag.

Bell Helicopter
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The first version, for the Army, should take to the air by the end of 2017, though full deployment wouldn’t happen until about 2030.

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