The bid of startup company, AVX Aircraft Corporation, took many all at once when it announced plans to take part within the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) predecessor to the long run Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The newly formed company has sky-high hopes of being selected to construct technology demonstrators and finally win the JMR/FVL program. AVX is against the heavyweights of the U.S. defense industry like Boeing, Bell, and Sikorsky. If successful, AVX could pull-off one of the most biggest upsets in defense military history.
Founded by former Bell employees, AVX is a brand new competitor within the fierce JMR/FVL program trying to replace overtime all kinds of helicopters just like the UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and OH-58D Kiowa. The arrival of a startup aircraft company within the JMR/FVL program came as a shock to many, not just due to the technological demands requested by U.S. Army, but more importantly since it will define U.S. forces lift capabilities for many years to return.
AVX’s vision of a higher generation transport helicopter to interchange the Blackhawk is a compact coaxial-rotor/ducted-fan concept. It’s made of counter rotating rotors on top and twin ducted-fans within the rear of the aircraft, which eliminates the need of a tail rotor. The coaxial-rotors creates lift, while the fans provide forward thrust to arrive the 230 knots require by the U.S. Army. The postulate also has small wings within the front of the aircraft that create additional lift. Another important feature is the is the presence of a rear ramp for quick on-load/off-load. The rear ramp is a no-brainer feature that not one of the concepts presented by well-established competitors seem to possess.
AVX’s coaxial-rotor/ducted-fan concept increases efficiency in all aspects of flight, while reducing vibration. The aircraft will weight 27,000lb (12,000kg), lift 13,000lb (5.900kg), and carry 12 combat troops plus 4 crew members. The defense establishment has presented their very own proposals that fluctuate from a single propulsion system corresponding to a tilt-rotor derivative to coaxial-rotors and open propulsors.
Out of all JMR concepts presented by the competing parties, none look as complete, practical, futuristic, and prepared as AVX’s aircraft. It’s thrilling to look how new ideas broad by a startup aircraft company, few people ever heard before, will stack-up against the confidence of the U.S. defense establishment.
Skeptics might argue that an aircraft startup company cannot possibly compete within the JMR/FVL program considering the inexperience of AVX and technological challenges. However, startups can work in highly competitive, engineering intensive fields. Within the U . s . a ., Tesla Motors an all electrical car manufacturer and SpaceX an area transportation company, both founded by South African entrepreneur Elon Musk have enjoy considerable success of their respective technological complex industries.
In fact, AVX has made progress within the JMR/FVL program. Recently AVX, Bell and Boeing/Sikorsky team proposal were invited by the U.S. Army to barter technology investment to construct flight demonstrators. However, AVX faces many risks: budget cuts, cost overruns, schedule delays and competitor takeover. The most ironical buyer can be Bell, since AVX was founded by former Bell employees.
Competition cleans out inefficiency and incompetence, and the U.S. defense establishment is wanting it. It can be quite astonishing that startup AVX is willing to move head-to-head and challenge the powerful defense establishment in this type of significant acquisition program. Unfazed and defiant of their ambitions to upset the defense establishment, AVX is confident of their concept capabilities. But when they do win the JMR/FVL program, it could mean partnering with Boeing, Bell or Sikorsky; and ultimately becoming portion of the defense establishment themselves.
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