Spirit AeroSystems Inc. announced it has completed the first fuselage to Bell Helicopter for the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) program. The unit was designed and assembled in Spirit's rapid prototyping facility in Wichita, Kan., in just 22 months. The composite fuselage is being prepped to ship to Bell's Amarillo, Texas, facility for final assembly.

"Delivering a fuselage from design to completion in 22 months is an amazing accomplishment," said Spirit President and CEO Larry Lawson. "Spirit's unique capability to design, build and deliver with the highest quality and lowest possible cost make us a great partner on revolutionary programs like the Bell V-280."

The U.S. Army-led JMR-TD program is the science and technology precursor to the Department of Defense's Future Vertical Lift program, with the goal to replace 2,000 to 4,000 medium-class utility and attack helicopters. The V-280 Valor is Bell Helicopter's offering for the JMR-TD program. A next generation tiltrotor, the Bell V-280 Valor advanced technology tiltrotor provides unmatched speed, range and payload for expeditionary maneuver to win in a complex world. 

"Spirit AeroSystems is proud to be an investing member of Team Valor with 10 other premier aerospace companies. Together we are helping the Department of Defense inform requirements and reduce risk on a new development program while at the same time providing the capabilities to win on the battlefield," said Phil Anderson, Spirit senior vice president of Spirit Defense.