Structures for next-generation tiltrotor were built at airframer’s Amarillo production site in Texas.
Rotorcraft specialist Bell has completed the assembly of two wing structures for the MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor for the US Army as it builds towards a first flight within the next two years.
Bell says an initial wing was completed in February with a second structure following in recent weeks.
Critically, the airframer says it built the wings significantly more quickly than those on its current-generation tiltrotor, the V-22 Osprey it jointly developed with Boeing.
On the initial wing, it cut labour hours by 90% over the V-22 structure, while achieving a further 40% reduction on the second shipset.
“After decades of building V-22 wings, we’ve learned new ways to do things better, faster and smarter by implementing these lessons into the design upfront,” says Culley Shafer, director of operations at Bell’s Amarillo production site.
“The team is constantly evolving, making adjustments, refining sequencing and implementing engineering changes to keep raising the bar on quality, safety and efficiency.”
Unlike the V-22’s wing with its distinctive forward sweep, the MV-75’s wing is a straight structure which makes extensive use of advanced composite materials. Combined, these reduce complexity and weight, and simplify the manufacturing process.
The next step will see the wing structures mated with the MV-75’s fuselage, currently being assembled at Bell’s plant in Wichita, Kansas, and the engine nacelles.
No firm date for a first flight has been disclosed, but US Army officials have suggested this will likely take place within the next two years.
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