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Shark-like “Invictus” is Bell’s bid for Army’s future attack-recon aircraft

Shark-like “Invictus” is Bell’s bid for Army’s future attack-recon aircraft

4 years ago
Anonymous $JavybBYWR5

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/10/shark-like-invictus-is-bells-bid-for-armys-future-attack-recon-aircraft/

Bell Textron has unveiled the design for the company's entrant into the US Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program: a single-rotor helicopter called the Bell 360 Invictus. The shark-like design, which uses rotor technology developed for the Bell 525 Relentless medium-lift helicopter, will be "optionally manned" capable—meaning it can either carry a crew of two or fly autonomously.

The Army is looking for a "knife fighter" for the FARA role—a high-speed, agile, and lightly armed helicopter capable of defending itself while probing enemy positions—rather than a heavy attack helicopter. A winning FARA design will have to be able to maneuver in urban environments, fly at speeds above 200mph (322km/h), and fly without pilots to perform intelligence and reconnaissance missions.