Bell Model 360 (Invictus)

History of the Bell Model 360 (Invictus)

Bell Helicopter has introduced a special model into the U.S. Army's Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, the 360 ??Invictus. The helicopter is designed to exhibit stealth qualities not dissimilar to the 2000s U.S.

Army RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance stealth helicopter (described in detail elsewhere on this site), but brings modern digital control solutions to the battlefield Solutions, including proven stealth capabilities, inherent weapon modularity, enhanced agility through digital fly-by-wire (FbW) control, and superior straight-line performance.

Helicopter looks very stylish, special attention was paid to reducing external protrusions. A slight "China" line runs along the body. Bell's marketing materials cite a two-crew crew (gunner and pilot), a cruise speed of 180 knots (207 mph) and a range of up to 135 nautical miles (155 miles), excluding the 90-minute stopover. An integrated Supplemental Power Unit (SPU) on the aircraft provides additional boost/sprint speed capability as well as auxiliary power for ground operations such as maintenance. The same system has been tried and tested on two other impressive Bell projects - the Type 525 "Relentless" and V-280 "Valor" helicopters (both detailed elsewhere on this site) with enhanced handling sex.

An integrated redundant "Triplex" system facilitates the handling of the rotorcraft, reducing crew workload and increasing autonomy.

The nose assembly houses optics and a powered triple-barreled 20mm autocannon mounted on the chin, capable of defeating certain armor classes. The two crew members sat side by side, with the weapons specialist in the front cockpit and the pilot in the rear. The layered nature of this arrangement, demonstrated in modern combat helicopters, enables both crew members to have relatively good views from the cockpit.

Access to each location is via special hinged doors along the port side.

In the middle of the fuselage is the four-blade main rotor assembly, which supports a low mast that brings the hub close to the top of the fuselage. The engines are embedded in the fuselage in a typical side-by-side arrangement, with special attention to the intake and exhaust ports of each engine - the result is a further reduction of radar/thermal signatures.

Flanking the aircraft are two main aircraft with extended wings, designed to not only share lift, but also carry an optional external pod on each side that can hold up to four missiles. However, the helicopter's primary weapons delivery system is an internal arrangement, with twin rocket launchers emerging from either side of the belly - another stealthy feature of the helicopter.

In total, the helicopter can deploy up to a dozen armor-piercing missiles or a mixed ammunition load, including artillery/cannon and rocket pods.

The tail has a traditional single tail arrangement, although the seven-blade tail rotor assembly is encased in a fenestron shroud, which not only reduces operating noise, but also somewhat protects the fragile tail from ground debris and The effect of enemy fire. There are vertical fins along the wake, supported by short span horizontal planes.

For ground operations, the helicopter will use conventional "trail" landing gear, which is designed to be fully retractable, maintaining the helicopter's stealth in the air.

Power is said to come from the XT901 series turboshaft-regulated 3,000 hp engine announced by GE Aviation on July 18, 2019.

Helicopter payload listed is 1,400 lbs.

The Model 360 Invictus competes directly with Sikorsky's "Raider-X" product, detailed elsewhere on this page.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes