By Garrett Reim2021-05-06T01:17:00+01:00
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has contracted Bell to research a high-speed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The laboratory granted Bell a $950,000 contract to conduct applied research into the concept, it disclosed in an online notice posted on 28 April.
Source: Bell and US Patent & Trademark Office
Diagram from Bell’s ‘Tiltrotor aircraft having rotary and nonrotary flight modes’ patent application published in 2017
Bell acknowledged the contract, but declined to comment further. The AFRL did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Little else was disclosed in the contract notice titled “Bell’s High Speed VTOL (HSVTOL)”.
By Garrett Reim2021-02-17T02:38:00+00:00
The US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) aims to consolidate multiple aircraft roles into its Armed Overwatch aircraft programme in order to save money on the War on Terror.
AFSOC is stretched thin as it tries to keep up the fight against terrorist groups while also preparing for possible conflict against Russia and China. It sees Armed Overwatch aircraft as capable of taking over the jobs of several specialised platforms, such as manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, fighters, bombers and gunships.
Source: Embraer
Embraer A-29 taking off from dirt runway
The programme envisions using a light-attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, such as a Sierra Nevada/ Embraer A-29 Super Tucano or Textron Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine, to conduct close air support and strike missions against terrorist groups and Islamic insurgences. The command has not decided on its final requirements, but is looking to buy co