The US Army has received the first of two MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) virtual prototypes from Bell Textron, with the second expected to arrive later this month at the Aviation Center of Excellence in Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Developed using a digital twin of the FLRAA, the virtual prototype will support learning, testing, and design refinement for the future aircraft. The system can later be upgraded to serve as a flight training device.
Soldiers will use the simulator to evaluate the rotorcraft’s design, software, hardware, safety, performance, and mission tactics, providing critical feedback to shape the physical platform’s final configuration.
The delivery follows a rapid Middle Tier of Acquisition process, which fast-tracked the program to its June 2024 Milestone B approval, officially advancing it to the engineering and manufacturing development phase.
Thanks to strong backing from Army leadership, the Department of Defense, and Congress, the FLRAA program has moved faster than any previous aviation initiative, Phillips noted.
