AVX Aircraft Co., a Fort Worth-based aviation company and L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) announced today their compound coaxial helicopter (CCH) design, which is competing for Phase 1 of the U.S. Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)-Competitive Prototype (CP) program competition.
The innovative design solution will exceed the reconnaissance and light-attack mission of FARA with a high-performing and survivable platform, according to a news release from the two companies. The CCH design, combined with engineering and production processes and certifications, will deliver a safe, performance-driven, affordable aircraft capable of operating in highly contested airspace and degraded environments for extended periods, according to the two companies.
“This FARA-CP solution provides L3 and AVX an opportunity to demonstrate the agility and innovation that sets our team apart in support of the U.S. Army’s modernization priorities,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, Chairman, CEO and president of New York-based L3 Technologies. “We are collaborating to deliver a prototype that provides powerful leap-ahead capability for our warfighters at an affordable life-cycle cost.”
“We are extremely pleased to reveal the design for this very important U.S. Army program,” said Troy Gaffey, AVX CEO and chief engineer. “AVX and L3 provide unique engineering design skills and manufacturing expertise that will provide the Army with an advanced, lethal and affordable reconnaissance and light-attack platform.”
The companies’ next-generation single-engine design, paired with a wing for lift during high-speed forward flight, provides leap-ahead capabilities in a faster, lighter and more lethal aircraft that requires less maintenance through its life cycle,, according to the two companies.
The U.S. Army is looking at replacing several older aircraft in its fleet. According to a recent Wall Street Journal, the service is looking to move quickly to new technologies.
See more about the solution at https://youtu.be/nVdXsVGCyBQ.