Bell Helicopter has chosen GE Aviation's T64-GE-419 engine to power its V-280 Valor demonstrator vertical lift aircraft.

Under the contract to Bell Helicopter, GE will provide installation and test support of T64-GE-419 engines for the demonstrator aircraft.

Bell Helicopter said it also plans to use a version of the Future Affordable Turbine Engine in the production version of the Valor.

"GE is proud to team with Bell on the V-280 Valor with the proven T64-GE-419 propulsion system to support their technology demonstration phase of the V-280 program," said Ed Birtwell, vice president and general manager of Turboshaft Engines at GE Aviation. "GE continues to invest in next generation propulsion technology through the Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE) program, and we plan on testing our first full FATE engine next year.

"We look forward to providing exciting, advanced technologies for FVL leading to a robust, durable engine that delivers tremendous performance and superior fuel consumption while meeting aggressive cost targets."

Bell's V-280 Valor is being developed for the U.S. Army's Future Vertical Lift program. Like the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey now in use by the U.S. military, the aircraft will combine the vertical lift technology of a helicopter with the forward flight technology of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Among members of the aircraft's development team are Lockheed Martin; AGC AeroComposites; Astronics; Eaton; GKN Aerospace; Lord, Meggitt, Moog; and Spirit AeroSystems.

"Bell Helicopter and Team Valor are developing an affordable next generation tiltrotor aircraft which provides unmatched range, speed and payload capabilities," says Mitch Snyder, executive vice president for Bell Helicopter military programs. "The aircraft has been designed with the operational agility to provide transformational reach and revolutionary capability on the battlefield.

"The ability to self-deploy up to 2,100 nautical miles along with a cruise speed of 280 knots with the means to fly twice the range at double the speed of any existing helicopter will completely transform what is possible for the military when it comes to battle planning and forward operations."