Bell Textron XV-15 Tiltrotor aircraft prepares to land

Bell 301 ( XV-15 )

In 1972, with funding from NASA and the US Army, Bell Helicopter Textron started development of the XV-15, a twin-engine tiltrotor research aircraft. Two aircraft were built to prove the tiltrotor design and explore the operational flight envelope for military and civil applications.

All the experience gained with this aircraft lead to the BA609 and V-22 Osprey programs.

After three decades, the XV-15 is continuing to be used as experimental testbeds.

Type: Research Tiltrotor
Project begin : July 1973
First Flight : May 3, 1977
First conversion from vertical
to horizontal flight: July 24, 1979
Units built: 2
Crew: 2
Engines: 2 * 1550 hp Lycoming LTC1K-4K
Speed: Max: 550 km/h
Service Ceiling: 8800 m
Range: 800 km
Weight: Empty: 4340 kg -- Max: 6000
Rotor Span: 7.62 m
Length: 12.8 m
Height: VTOL 4.67 m
Disc Area: 91.23 m2