The most amazing thing I saw at Modern Day Marine was the new Bell V-247 which is intended as a candidate for the US Marine Corps’ Marine Air Ground Task Force – Unmanned Expeditionary Capabilities (MUX) program. They set up an extension of the tent in order to House the aircraft. But based on public interest, it was difficult to photograph it completely.
Based on development of the tilt-rotor V-22 and V-280, the V-247 is an unmanned system optimized for hover over speed in order to be used for persistent 24-hour ISR coverage as well as aerial fires. It can also be used as an armed escort for the two troop transport tilt-rotors.
It boasts more than 8 hours on station with 600 lbs of payload at a 450 nm mission radius and up to 1300 nm or 12 hours maximum on station. The service ceiling is 25,000 ft with no concern for an environmental system for a crew. The total payload is 2,000 internal or 9,000 lbs payload. The cruise speed is 240 kts and over 300 kts at max power.
The V-247 has the same shipboard footprint of a UH-1Y and can be operated from a Guided Missile Destroyer or larger ship.
