Future Vertical Lift (FVL) is a plan to develop a family of military helicopters for the United States Armed Forces. Five different sizes of aircraft are to be developed, sharing common hardware such as sensors, avionics, engines, and countermeasures. The U.S. Army has been considering the program since 2004.Brannen, Kate. . Defense News, 19 July 2010. FVL is meant to develop replacements for the Army's UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The precursor for FVL is the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) helicopter program.
Overview Summary After a decade of combat from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. Department of Defense found that the U.S. Army's rotorcraft fleet was wearing out. Combat operations required the helicopters to fly five times more often than in peacetime. Manufacturers have been remanufacturing and upgrading existing families of aircraft instead of creating new platforms. The Future Vertical Lift (FVL) concept is to create rotorcraft using new technology, materials, and designs that are quicker, have longer range and higher payload capacity, are more reliable, easier to maintain and operate, have lower operating costs, and can reduce logistical footprints. FVL systems are intended to replace most Army helicopters. The Joint Multi-Role (JMR) phases will provide technology demonstrations. JMR-TD will develop the aerial platform; JMR Phase I will develop the air vehicle; JMR Phase II will develop mission systems. The Army plans to acquire as many as 4,000 aircraft from the FVL program.. The Army started an FVL engine program in 2016.
Future Vertical Lift was established in 2009 as an initiative, not yet a solution,Drwiega, Andrew. "Proceed with Caution: JMR Tech Demo Phase 1 " Aviation Today, 1 November 2013. Accessed: 18 October 2014. by the secretary of defense to focus all DoD vertical lift capabilities and technology development, as well as retaining long-term engineering capabilities.Majumdar, Dave. "Mixed reaction over US plans for new prototype attack helicopter" Flightglobal, 21 January 2013. Accessed: 21 June 2014. Archived on 21 June 2014. In October 2011, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued the FVL Strategic Plan to outline a joint approach for the next generation vertical lift aircraft for all military services. The Strategic Plan provided a foundation for replacing the existing fleet with advanced capability by shaping the development of vertical lift aircraft for the next 25 to 40 years. It indicates 80 percent of decision points for the DoD vertical lift fleet to either extend the life, retire, or replace with a new solution over the next eight to ten years. Implementation of the FVL Strategic Plan will impact vertical lift aviation operations for the next 50+ years.. The United States Navy is a partner to the Army on the effort, so a derivative of FVL may be used in the Navy's MH-XX program to replace the service's MH-60S/R helicopters.
Configurations Three sizes were planned in 2009, then four and five (which may or may not be of the same design) are envisioned to replace 25 rotorcraft types:Turnbull, Grant. "FVL milestone on horizon" 15 September 2015 JMR-Light: Scout helicopter to replace the OH-58 Kiowa; Implemented as the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program in 2018. In February 2024, the U.S. Army terminated the FARA program due to developments in modern warfare that made it unnecessary. JMR-Medium-Light JMR-Medium: Utility version to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk; introduction planned for 2030. The Bell V-280 Valor was awarded a contract for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program in December 2022. JMR-Heavy: Cargo version to replace the CH-47 Chinook; introduction planned for 2035, although Boeing expects 2060.Drwiega, Andrew. "Boeing Plans for Additional Apache and Chinook Versions Before Future Vertical Lift Arrives" Aviation Today, 1 July 2014. Accessed: 4 July 2014. Archived on 3 July 2014. JMR-Ultra: New ultra-sized version for vertical lift aircraft with performance similar to fixed-wing tactical transport aircraft, such as the C-130J Super Hercules and the Airbus A400M Atlas; introduction was planned for 2025 in 2019.
According to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, three different configurations of JMR aircraft – a conventional helicopter, a large-wing slowed rotor compound helicopter, and a tiltrotor – were being studied as of April 2013.
Design requirements Although requirements are still being refined, the notional concept for a new aircraft must reach speeds of , carry up to 12 troops, operate in "high-hot" conditions at altitudes of and temperatures of , and have a combat radius of with an overall unrefueled range of . Mission sets are to include cargo transport, utility, armed scout, attack, humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, land/sea search and rescue, special warfare support, vertical replenishment, airborne mine countermeasures, and others. – Defensetech.org, 8 October 2014 The FVL family of aircraft will be required to have either optionally piloted or autonomous flight capabilities.Army matures autonomous flight technologies – Armytechnology.Armylive.DoDlive.mil, 31 October 2014
In March 2013, the Army asked the industry to submit proposals for an effort called the Alternative Engine Conceptual Design and Analysis. Although formal requirements for the FVL family of systems had not yet been set, they will need to have hover, speed, range, payload, and fuel efficiency characteristics "beyond any current rotorcraft". This may require an aircraft that can hover at and cruise at . Capabilities include good hover maneuverability at high altitude.
The engine will require alternative, advanced engine/power system configurations that enable enhanced mission capability, such as improved time on station, increased mission radius, and quieter operation. Due to the different configurations of the airframe, power outputs from to are being studied. One to four companies can be awarded a contract with work completed in 18 months.US Army seeks advanced engine for future rotorcraft – Flightglobal.com, 20 March 2013
Lockheed Martin is developing a single "common missions system" that could be integrated into FVL light, medium, heavy, and ultra-heavy aircraft. The system could save the Army billions of dollars over the course procurement and sustainment, eliminating the need to train maintenance staff, trainers, and personnel in multiple systems. One component is a helmet derived from the one used on the F-35 Lightning II using distributed aperture technology that uses integrated sensors to enable pilots to view "through" the aircraft.Lockheed pitches F-35 technology for US Army’s future vertical lifter – Flightglobal.com, 7 May 2014
JMR competitors
Bell
Bell Helicopter proposed a third-generation tiltrotor design for the FVL program, which was ultimately selected for the FLRAA contract award. Bell sought partners for financial and technological support, although the company did not require assistance."Bell will pitch third-gen tilt-rotor for JMR/FVL" . Flightglobal.com, 4 March 2013 In April 2013, Bell revealed its tiltrotor design, named the Bell V-280 Valor. It is designed to have a cruise speed of , range of , and a combat range of ."PICTURES: Bell unveils V-280 Valor" . Flight International, 10 April 2013.Bell Helicopter Introduces the Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor at AAAA – Bell press release, 10 April 2013V-280 fact sheet . Bell
It features a V-tail, a large cell carbon core wing with a composite fuselage, triple redundant fly-by-wire flight control system, retractable landing gear, and two side doors for ease of access. The V-280 is unusual in that only the rotor system tilts, but not the engines. The planned demonstrator is medium-size and carries four crew members and 14 troops. It is to be built at 92 percent scale or larger."Sikorsky Moves X2 Technology Up A Size For JMR" Aviation Week & Space Technology, 4 November 2013. Accessed: 22 June 2014. Archived on 22 June 2014."PICTURES: Bell unveils V-280 Valor" . Flight International, 10 April 2013.Bell Helicopter Introduces the Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor at AAAA – Bell press release, 10 April 2013V-280 fact sheet . Bell Bell says they are investing four times the government's amount.Drwiega, Andrew. "Gorillas Versus The Underdog" Aviation Today, 1 July 2014. Accessed: 4 July 2014.Archived on 3 July 2014.
Bell has suggested that their design could be ready for other services' helicopter replacement programs before the Army is ready to award a bid. On December 5, 2022, the Army selected Bell Textron for the FLRAA contract award, with GAO overriding a program dispute from the Sikorsky-Boeing team.Ashley Rocque "GAO denies Sikorsky-Boeing FLRAA protest; Bell, Army clear to proceed". breakingdefense.com, 6 Apr 2023.
Sikorsky/Boeing
The SB-1 Defiant (or "SB>1") is the Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing entry for the program. It is a compound helicopter with rigid coaxial rotors and two Honeywell T55 engines. Its first flight took place in March 2019.
Defiant X variant In January 2021, Sikorsky-Boeing announced the Defiant X variant, specifically designed for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program. In February 2022, Sikorsky-Boeing picked Honeywell's new HTS7500 turboshaft engine, which will replace the Honeywell T55 engine that powered the SB-1 Defiant technology demonstrator platform informing the Defiant X offering. The HTS7500 is rated at 7,500 horsepower and is 42% more powerful with an 18% reduction in specific fuel consumption and weighs less than the T55 engine.
Former competitors AVX AVX Aircraft proposed an aircraft with their coaxial rotor and twin ducted fan design that provides better steering and some additional forward power."Future Vertical Lift Takes Step Forward" . Nationaldefensemagazine.com, April 2013 Their JMR-TD is to be built at 75% scale. It is capable of flying at , with 40% lift from the small forward wings and 60% from the rotors. Half the drag of the design comes from the fuselage and half from the rotor system, so wind tunnel tests are aiming to reduce drag by a third. The rotor system has two composite-flexbeam hubs with drag-reducing aerodynamic fairings on the blade cuffs and the mast between the hubs.The Other JMR/FVL Contenders – Aviationweek.com, 12 April 2013 The medium-sized version is proposed to weigh , carry four crew and 12 troops, and have a external lifting capacity.
It has a cabin, which is twice the interior size of the UH-60 Black Hawk, and has an internal lifting capacity. The aircraft can carry 12 NATO litters, have an auxiliary fuel system for self-deployment over distances, and is planned to be capable of being optionally manned. The utility and attack versions will have 90% commonality and fly at the same speed. Test aircraft will be equipped with current GE T706 engines, but AVX is looking to equip their design with the Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine with its higher output. AVX has teamed with Rockwell Collins, General Electric, and BAE Systems. It features entry doors on both sides of the fuselage with a large rear ramp for easy cargo handling. Both versions have retractable landing gear, and the attack variant carries all armaments stored inside until needed to provide a clean aerodynamic design.