H.R. No. 1609 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Bell flight company won the U.S. Army contract to manufacture the V-280 Valor tiltrotor for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program; and WHEREAS, A subsidiary of Textron Inc., Bell has developed and manufactured aircraft for more than 85 years; headquartered in Fort Worth, the firm serves countries around the globe; and WHEREAS, Bell began developing and testing the V-280 Valor tiltrotor as part of the Pentagon's Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program in 2013; the aircraft features a number of innovative technologies, including mission equipment designed for challenging visual environments, an updated tactical common data link, and onboard sensors; in addition, it boasts exceptional range capabilities and strategic lift deployment options as well as improved flight performance and lifecycle sustainability; and WHEREAS, The V-280 Valor was designed for long-range assault, utility, medical evacuation, and disaster relief missions; during testing, the aircraft achieved a maximum forward speed of 305 knots and demonstrated a combat range of 500 to 800 nautical miles, a self-deployment range of some 1,700 nautical miles, low-speed agility, and rapid mission systems integration; and WHEREAS, The U.S. Army selected Bell's V-280 Valor to replace its fleet of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters; the initial prototype of the V-280 will be delivered to the army by 2025, and the first production aircraft are expected to be operational by 2030; the entire program is estimated to have a value up to $80 billion; and WHEREAS, Bell has long been at the forefront of aircraft development, and the company's V-280 Valor tiltrotor is sure to benefit the U.S. Army and contribute to our nation's defense for many years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Bell flight company on winning the U.S. Army contract to manufacture the V-280 Valor tiltrotor for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program and extend to all those associated with the firm sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Bell as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Turner Price Geren Bhojani Goldman ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1609 was adopted by the House on May 19, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House