On 15 April, L3 Technologies-led team unveiled first images of innovative attack reconnaissance helicopter design.

L3 Technologies and AVX Aircraft team developing a new version of a high-speed helicopter for competing for Phase 1 of the U.S. Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)-Competitive Prototype (CP) program competition.

According to a statement released L3, the innovative design solution will exceed the reconnaissance and light-attack mission of FARA with a high-performing and survivable platform.

AVX-L3 CCH will meet 100 percent of mandatory requirements and exceed 70 percent of them. The CCH design, combined with rigorous engineering and production processes and certifications, will deliver a safe, performance-driven, affordable aircraft capable of operating in highly contested airspace and degraded environments for extended periods.

“This FARA-CP solution provides L3 and AVX an opportunity to demonstrate the agility and innovation that sets our team apart in support of the U.S. Army’s modernization priorities,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of L3 Technologies. “We are collaborating to deliver a prototype that provides powerful leap-ahead capability for our warfighters at an affordable life-cycle cost.”

The companies’ next-generation single-engine design, paired with a wing for lift during high-speed forward flight, provides leap-ahead capabilities in a faster, lighter and more lethal aircraft that requires less maintenance through its life cycle, featuring:

• A fly-by-wire, side-by-side cockpit optimized for pilot efficiency
• Two ducted fans that provide forward and reverse thrust for both high-speed operation and agility
• State-of-the-art modern open systems architecture (MOSA)-based digital backbone and avionics systems
• A small form factor that meets C-17 loading and Navy DDG shipboard size limits through manually folding blades and wings
• Modularity that provides for component reuse and a high degree of systems commonality across all of the U.S. Army capability sets

“We are extremely pleased to reveal the design for this very important U.S. Army program,” said Troy Gaffey, AVX CEO and Chief Engineer. “AVX and L3 provide unique engineering design skills and manufacturing expertise that will provide the Army with an advanced, lethal and affordable reconnaissance and light-attack platform.”

Scheduled for a production program start in 2024, the FARA aircraft will be an advanced, survivable and lethal solution with unmatched growth potential. The Army has named the FARA as a top modernization priority supported under the service’s new Futures Command structure.