Bell: Say Hello to my Little Tilt Rotor Friend!

The USMC is pursuing a unmanned aircraft to take off from amphibs, but it is smelling a bit like the UCLASS/CBARS/MQ-25A debacle. This program is called the MUX. Originally, the UCLASS was going to be a long range, stealthy strike asset for the carriers. However, the end result, after going through a torturous labyrinthine process to go to RFP eventually became a tanker. The USMC seems to love their squidie bros and wants to copy.

Originally, the MUX program was going to be a do-it-all UCAV that would also and especially act as an escort for the V-22s. Then it was going to be a cargo drone. Then...it went through its own Cretan mess. In the end, it came out as the USMC wanted a combo awacs (!!) and EW UAV. It needed to be able to VTOL and have good legs. However, no armament. At least at this point.

Bell has been touting its V-247 tilt rotor concept for a while now. Bell obviously has its eyes on the armed side of things, but the tilt rotor could be used for the AEW and EW roles if there is enough power generated. Interestingly, Bell has shown the V-247 also with a sonobouy dispensor and that it has been designed to fold up to fit in the Burke class' hangars. It would need to be significantly longer legged than the FireScout for the USN to give up on its drone copter, though.

At any rate, it is an interesting beast. Almost Boeing Ugly in its beauty.

www.thedrive.com...

I see those racks of hellfires and those big props in front and I just wonder...wtf!

It’s got some perrrrrdy missles on it thats for sure.
I like it.
a reply to: anzha

a reply to: anzha

It truly IS an interesting beast! a jumbo drone! VTOL? Whoof!

Boeing Ugly??? MUX lovely!

originally posted by: RickyD
I see those racks of hellfires and those big props in front and I just wonder...wtf!

Oh sh!t..
Yes I see the problem now.😮😮😮

They'd only be able to fire when the props are in the hover position. As displayed in the Drive link. 5th photo down.

a reply to: Bigburgh

Yes considering it will likely spend most of its time escorting things and not pretending to be a helo that kind of makes it lame. The point would be that those hellfires could take out anti-air threats as osperys carried troops to a forward deployment from a long range...cant do that with big old props in the way. Unless they delay and just drop below but Tbh I am not that familiar with their fire mechanics to know if thats a thing. Zaphod come school us!

Edit: I see it also has internal bays as one of the pictures at the bottom show.

a reply to: anzha

intrestibg that its not ducted.

im still waiting for the troop carrier

a reply to: penroc3

That's the Valor. It seems to be progressing fine.

Still waiting to hear about the Defiant in a public way.

originally posted by: Bigburgh

originally posted by: RickyD
I see those racks of hellfires and those big props in front and I just wonder...wtf!

Oh sh!t..
Yes I see the problem now.😮😮😮

They'd only be able to fire when the props are in the hover position. As displayed in the Drive link. 5th photo down.

I know it’s probably not the case but they might could do a cold launch were the rocket ignites after falling clear of the rotors, it’s not that fast of a bird I’m guessing. Wouldn’t even need to be full verticals just 50%+ of the tilt me thinks..

a reply to: Bigburgh

The most likely load out would be Fury on the wings and Hellfire in the bays.

a reply to: Zaphod58

That makes a lot more sense. To be able to kick off long range atgm on approach to clear threats then drop furies to support the troops an osprey drops off would be great. Especially considering they're unmanned and can take those risks while troops are landing and likely less of a priority for any anti air assets.

a reply to: anzha

It does look like a jumbo drone. Isn't it a little to big to be stealthy, probably loud to.

But anyways can you buy that at Fred Meyers or Circuit City or something, does it come fully assembled or do you have to assemble it yourself? What kind of batteries does the remote control take?

a reply to: BigDave-AR

All Hellfire derivatives so far are rail-launched. You'd have to develop a new version with an ejector. I don't think you could model airflow reliably with a tilt-wing/rotor to trust separation with a simple gravity drop launch.

Plus, you'd get a lot of bent fins trying to drop those top two on the quad rack.

I've got a feeling this will end up armed. The Corps has needed something to escort those speedy MV-22s. The Zulu Cobras are a hell of a bird, but not nearly fast enough.

Surely it won’t make production, the F35B will escort the MV-22s?

How much cheaper than a 22 could it be to buy to make a difference that would warrant yet another class of aircraft in the inventory?

You probably want to replace the cobra with a platform that can support the 22 and do the cobras job which i don’t think is this just yet?

originally posted by: RadioRobert
a reply to: BigDave-AR

All Hellfire derivatives so far are rail-launched. You'd have to develop a new version with an ejector. I don't think you could model airflow reliably with a tilt-wing/rotor to trust separation with a simple gravity drop launch.

Plus, you'd get a lot of bent fins trying to drop those top two on the quad rack.

Didn’t say it be easy but me thinks it could be done, would work a treat for an SDB or 8.... Point taken though.