Bell’s V-280 Valor tilt-rotor demonstrator flew autonomously for the first time Dec. 18 at Bell's facility in Arlington, Texas. Since its first flight two years ago, the V-280 has logged more than 160 flight hours among seven test pilots. It has demonstrated it can fly more than 300 nautical miles in one trip and perform 2G acceleration turns, as well as climb to 11,500 feet and reach speeds beyond 280 knots. This most recent flight adds to the aircraft's extensive list of accomplishments and proves, yet again, that it is capable of serving the modern warfighter.

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