Bell opens test facility for tiltrotor, mission systems

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced the grand opening of its Weapon Systems Integration Lab (WSIL) in Arlington, Texas. The state-of-the-art facility will aid in in the safe, rapid, and efficient integration and test of next-generation fly-by-wire tiltrotor and mission systems using a modular open systems approach (MOSA) for the United States Army’s Future Long- Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).

As part of our commitment to deliver the U.S. Army's FLRAA capability to our nation's warfighters, Bell is pleased to announce the opening of its latest systems integration lab,” said Bell’s Senior Vice President and Program Director, FLRAA program, Ryan Ehinger. “This dedicated SIL supports the application, verification, and validation of Bell’s innovative digital engineering approach and open architecture, playing a critical role in delivering outstanding operational performance and versatility to the U.S. Army.”

“We are grateful for our partnership with Bell, who has made Arlington the home of its Flight Research Center for nearly six decades now. The Arlington Economic Development Corporation’s recent strategic investment shows our city’s continued commitment to supporting innovation right here in our backyard,” Mayor Jim Ross said.

In 2021, Bell began construction of a new 47,000 square-foot facility to house future development programs at its Flight Research Facility in Arlington, Texas. The FLRAA WSIL is Bell’s fifth-generation System Integration Lab located at its Flight Research Center. This latest SIL facility supports end-to-end integration of our fly-by-wire systems with state-of-the-art avionics, electrical, hydraulic, flight controls, and mission and sensor systems for multiple current and future programs, manned and unmanned.

Bell and the City of Arlington have a history spanning more than 55 years. Beginning in 1967, the City of Arlington has played a major role in supporting the innovation of flight-testing for new programs at Bell’s Flight Research Center.