Bell V-247 Vigilant Specs, Engine, and Price

Bell V-247 Vigilant Specs, Engine, and Price – Bell V-247 Vigilant is a new tilt-rotor unmanned helicopter that is being developed by Bell Helicopter Textron, United States. This unmanned helicopter was developed to meet the future requirements of the US Marine Corps (USMC). The V-247 Vigilant design was introduced in September 2016. The helicopter was designed to match the capabilities set out in the 2016 Marine Corps Flight Plan. The V-247 Vigilant is expected to enter the production phase by 2023.

Bell V-247 Vigilant can be in various missions including electronic warfare, air early warning (AEW), bodyguards for V-22 / V-280 rotor aircraft, command, control, communication, and computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR), ongoing fire support and tactical supply.

Bell V-247 Vigilant Specs

The V-247 Vigilant fuselage has a high wing design and is equipped with a long wing structure, V-shaped tail, and retractable three-wheeled landing gear. This platform presents vertical lift capabilities such as helicopters along with the speed and range of fixed wing aircraft. It was designed to offer remote surveillance and platform independence to carry out missions in the maritime zone without runway infrastructure.

The dimensions of the Bell V-247 tilt-rotor helicopter include a wing span of 20 m and a rotor diameter of 9.1 m (2.4 m smaller than the V-22 Osprey). The helicopter has an empty weight and a maximum gross weight of 7,257 kg and 13,380 kg, respectively. This helicopter without start can carry up to 5,896 kg of cargo including fuel, weaponry and sensors.

Bell V-247 Vigilant can be operated from the DDG guided missile destroyer deck. The helicopter offers a low logistical footprint and a foldable design allows it to fit into the C-17 aircraft and hangar space of the DDG ship. Unmanned helicopters give the same footprint as those offered by UH-1Y when folded.

The Bell V-247 helicopter is able to provide a wide range when operating from land or ships. The ability to refuel air-to-air further saddles the helicopter with a higher loiter time for a long time. The aircraft's redundant flight control system ensures safe and reliable flight operations.

Bell V-247 Vigilant Engine and Performance

The Bell V-247 Vigilant is powered by a turboshatf engine which produces a power output of 4,410 kW. The engine drives two three-bladed angled rotors. This unmanned helicopter can fly with a long cruising speed of 460 km / h, endurance speed of 333.36 km / h and a maximum speed of more than 560 km / h with maximum continuous power. It can fly at a maximum height of 25,000 ft and offers a maximum time at the station of more than 11 hours when carrying 600 lb of mission payload in a 450 mile mission radius. The helicopter has a maximum range of up to 1,400 nmi (2,600 km).

Bell V-247 Vigilant Sensor and Weapons

Bell V-247 Vigilant is equipped with a modular load system. The open architecture of the system allows for the integration of weapons systems according to the type of mission. The cargo bay is designed to accommodate a variety of weapon systems, including MK-50 torpedoes or Hellfire or JAGM missiles. Unmanned helicopters can carry 907 kg internal mission loads and 4,082 kg slings.

V-247 Vigilant helicopters can also carry electro-optical and targeting systems, light detection and starting modules, sonar buoys and 360 ° surface radar modules. The helicopter can be easily modified to meet several mission requirements in the air.

Bell V-247 Vigilant Price

Bell V-247 Vigilant tilt-rotor is still in the development stage, adjusting to a number of regulations set by the Marine Corps. This helicopter will have a price that is not much different from the Bell V-280 Valor, which is around US $ 15-20 million.