Bell Textron 360 Invictus: A Streamlined, Stealthy Strike Package…
(Polls are at the Bottom)
Overview
Hello Pilots!
I want today to suggest a only recently-cancelled American attack helicopter, Bell Textron’s submission to the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, the Bell 360 Invictus, a light attack helicopter with low-observability and the latest in tech!
Basic Information
Designation: Bell 360 Invictus
Role: Low-Observable Scout Helicopter
Crew: 2
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Pilot
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Gunner
Designer: Bell Textron Inc.
Manufacturer: Bell Textron Inc., Collins Aerospace, Sierra Navada Corporation
Designed: October 1, 2019
Cancelled: February 8, 2024
Number Built: 1
Specifications
Dimensions:
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Length: 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
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Rotor Diameter: 40 ft 0 in (12.2 m)
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Rotor Area: 1,256.6 sq. ft (12.2 m²)
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Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m)
Flying Performance:
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Engine(s):
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1x General Electric T901 turboshaft (Main Engine)
- 3,000 hp (2,200kW)
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1x Pratt & Whitney PW207D1 turboshaft (Supplemental Power Unit)
- 610 hp (450kW)
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Maximum Speed: 210mph (333 km/h)
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Service Ceiling: 14,764 ft (4,500 m)
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Rate Of Climb: 1,000 ft/min (305 m/s)
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Maximum Range: 153 mi (246 km)
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Gross Weight: 8,200 kg (18,100 lbs)
Armament:
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Main Armament: 1x 20mm Rotary Cannon
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Suspended Armament: 1,400 lbs (635 kg)
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Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (Likely AGM-114 Hellfire)
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Anti-Aircraft Guided Missiles (Likely ATAS Stinger)
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Usage In Battles
The Bell 360 Invictus would be an interesting addition to WarThunder, using its advanced airframe and stealth characteristics. In battle, it would be very able to avoid contact, launch a missile, and then sneak away.
Pros:
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Great Top Speed
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Low Obsevability
Cons:
- Limited Armament
History
With the retirement of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior from US Army service in 2014, its departure left a noticable gap in capability. The subsequent gap in aerial reconisance left behind was “temporarily” filled by the Apache Attack Helicopter and additional Unmanned Aerial Systems.
In accordance, the US Army would launch its Future Vertical Lift Program, or FVL, a modernization effort that sought to bring about a new generation of helicopters for military use, one piece being the FARA, or Future Attack Reconassiance Aircraft Program.
The Bell Model 360 Invictus was a prototype scout helicopter developed by Bell Textron Inc as a proposal to meet the US Army’s FARA Program. Being announced on October 1, 2019, the Invictus is a heavily-modified airframe based on the Bell 525 Relentless civilian helicopter, now instead equipped with a tandem-seat configuration, several advanced targeting optics, a 20mm chin turret, stub wings, and internal weapons bays for low-observability.
On October 14, 2019, Bell Textron would unveil a full scale mockup at the Association of the United States Army annual show, impressing observers. In March 2020, the US Army would select Bell Textron to continue its work on US Army’s FARA programme. Following selection, Bell Textron would continue development for nearly entire year, perfecting the design and risk-reduction, seeing additional help from other companies to assist in its development, with Bell Textron selecting Triumph Systems & Support for the supply of hydraulic components for the Invictus in May 2020.
On June 4, Bell Textron would announce additional agreements with nine aerospace companies (Collins Aerospace, General Electric Aerospace, Sierra Navada Corporation, Garmin, Moog Inc., ReliaQuest, Spirit AeroSystems, L3Harris Technologies, and Honeywell Aerospace), to form a consortium known as “Team Invictus”, to produce the helicopter.
Development of the prototype would continue, with its initial test flight being slated for 2022, however would be delayed to 2023, awaiting the delivery of General Electric’s T-901 Engine.
On 8 February 2024, as the prototype was nearing its first flight tests, the US Army would cancel development on the FARA program, stating the decision was influenced by the use of inexpensive unmanned systems in global conflicts, highlighting the vulnrebilities of the design, and a shift for a more networked, unmanned aerial force.
Sources
Bell 360 Invictus Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft - Army Technology
Bell Model 360 (Invictus) Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Helicopter - Military Factory
- Yes
- No
- Tech Tree
- Premium
- Event
- Battle Pass
- Squadron
- I Said No
- 10.0
- 10.3
- 10.7
- 11.0
- 11.3
- 11.7
- 12.0
- Other (Explain in Comments)
- Again… No.