Aviation

Meet the Bell 360, the latest rival to the Sikorsky Raider X.

Meet the Bell 360, a new challenger to the Sikorsky Raider X. Bell, the world’s most recognizable commercial helicopter manufacturer, has created a new combat helicopter.

Bell, the world’s most recognized commercial helicopter manufacturer, has developed a new combat helicopter that will compete with the Sikorsky Raider X chopper.

The first prototype of the Bell 360 invictus, which means unconquerable in Latin, was recently shown. After engine development, the helicopter is ready for testing.

The Invictus is a conventional helicopter with fast speed and low cost that was initially introduced in 2019. The helicopter, like many modern attack helicopters, has a tandem seat structure. The design is similar to the Tiger helicopter from Airbus and the Light combat helicopter from HAL India. However, the bell has an unusual design with a low radar cross section area, which is not the primary design aim.

It has four 40-foot-diameter rotor blades, an active horizontal stabiliser, and a slanted and shrouded tail rotor positioned below the shrouded rotor hub. Missiles are launched from launchers that are integrated. The aircraft appears aerodynamic, and the rotator is covered for improved air flow around the spin. The rotor diameter is determined by US Army specifications, which specify the maximum diameter for FARA contenders in order for the rotorcraft to fit between buildings on future battlefields.

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The Bell helicopter prototype currently lacks a functional engine. However, the General Electric T901 engine will be installed shortly. Following the construction of the engine, this helicopter will be tested at a speed of 180 knots or 330 kilometres per hour.

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This helicopter will be outfitted with advanced armaments such as the AGM 114 Hellfire, AGM 179 JAGM missiles of the XM 915 – 20 mm auto gun, and two launchers with four missiles.

The US Army requires a cruising speed of more than 180 knots (330 km/h), which the 360 is designed to meet; the 525 rotor system has been tested to achieve 200 knots (370 km/h). At moderate to high speeds, the stub wings are designed to create lift equivalent to around 50% of the aircraft’s weight. With at least 90 minutes on station, the combat radius will be 135 nautical miles (250 km). Fly-by-wire control will be used.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.