| Bell 360 Invictus | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Reconnaissance andattack helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bell Textron |
| Status | Cancelled |
TheBell 360 Invictus was a proposed helicopter design intended to meet theUnited States Army requirement for aFuture Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA). It is based on technology from theBell 525 Relentless.[1]
Scott C. Donnelly, CEO ofTextron, has said in April 2019 that the Bell 360 will be based on theBell 525.[1][2] The 360 and 525 will share an articulated rotor system, although the 360, which will only seat two (a pilot and gunner), will use a single engine and a four-blade rotor, whereas the 525 uses twin engines and a five-blade rotor and has a nineteen-passenger capacity.[3] Bell has since announced it is developing the 360 withCollins Aerospace,[4] and theSierra Nevada Corporation is developing the mission systems for the aircraft.[5]
The design was unveiled on 1 October 2019, showing a two-seattandemcockpit, with sighting optics and/orlaser designator above a 20mm cannongun turret at the chin position below the cockpit, mid-mounted stub wings below the shrouded rotor hub and four 40 foot (12 m) diameterrotor blades, an activehorizontal stabilizer and a tilted and shrouded tail rotor. Missiles are mounted on integrated launchers.[1] The rotor diameter is dictated by US Army requirements, which specified that maximum diameter for FARA candidates to allow the rotorcraft to fit between buildings on future battlefields.[3] Its main engine will be a singleGeneral Electric T901 turboshaft engine, with supplemental power from aPratt & Whitney PW207D1 turboshaft.[6]
The US Army requirement calls for a cruising speed in excess of 180 knots (210 mph; 330 km/h), and the 360 is intended to meet this;[1] the Bell 525 rotor system has been tested to exceed 200 knots (230 mph; 370 km/h).[3] The stub wings are intended to provide lift equivalent to approximately 50% of the weight of the aircraft at moderate to high speed.[1] Combat radius will be 135 nautical miles (155 mi; 250 km) with at least 90 minutes time on station. It will usefly-by-wire control.[7]
Bell unveiled a full-scalemockup of the 360 at theAssociation of the United States Army annual show beginning 14 October 2019.[1][8]
On 8 February 2024, the US Army ended development on Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, with Army Chief of Staff Randy George saying the decision was influenced by the use of inexpensive unmanned systems in theRusso-Ukrainian War,[9] putting the service's long-term aviation plans in doubt.
 Image of Bell 360 Invictus in flight |
Data from FlightGlobal[6]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
