Bell Textron announced its partnership with the US Army to deliver the T901 improved turbine engine for the FARA program.
Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., declared that the US Army has formally given Bell the order for the T901 Improved Turbine Engine from GE Aerospace for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. Bell is now ready to finish building the Bell 360 Invictus competitive prototype and advance to the next round of the FARA competition. The engine has arrived.
Jayme Gonzalez, program manager at FARA, said, “The ITEP delivery is a major milestone for FARA and the Bell 360 Invictus competitive prototype. Now that we have received the engine, we are ready to begin working toward ground runs and other necessary preparations before the first flight later next year.”
As we advance toward the first flight, Bell and Team Invictus have been concentrating on setting up our supply chain, manufacturing hub, and FARA support infrastructure to guarantee alignment. Now that they have the T901, the Bell team is ready to equip the aircraft, install the engine, and get it ready for ground testing.
Following functional testing of the aircraft with the T901 installed, the Bell 360 must complete the Test Readiness Review and a restrained ground run. The safe, quick, and effective completion of the flight test program depends on these tests.
Chris Gehler, senior vice president and program director, FARA said, “Our team has been hard at work to drive down risk in preparation for ground and flight tests. We are excited to receive the T901 engine and look forward to demonstrating the transformative capabilities of the Bell 360 Invictus. As well, we continue to advance and meet Army requirements for an open weapons system design that provides the next level of lethality and survivability into our warfighters’ arsenal.”
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