ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF)- U.S. Military officials visit North Texas, looking to replace its helicopter fleet across all branches.
Fort Worth-based Bell Aerospace company demonstrated it’s new V-280 Valor to replace the outdated Black Hawk Helicopter.
The V-280 Valor is part helicopter, part airplane. The modern design of tilt rotors allows for flying further, longer and faster. U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy was at the Bell Research Center in Arlington for the demonstration. He said it’s time for more modernization in their fleet. “Threats continue to evolve in the world so we need newer capabilities that have grater range and more lethality so we can maintain the margin to stay on top and our position of being number 1,” said McCarthy. “You need to fly it before you buy it and you gotta make sure it’s going to perform and help us make the right choice and get the best weapon systems we can in the arms of our soldiers ,” he said.
Congresswoman Kay Granger of Fort Worth was also at the demonstration. She said this is going to be a game changer. “I’m very proud,” she said. “Because I’ve been in congress for a long time, 22 years, and there have been appropriations in defense related so I know what we need and this is exactly what we need,” said Granger.
Officials say the V-280 Valor could cost between 30 to 40 million. The decision could be made within two years with the new fleet roll out in 2030.
