Curtiss-Wright selected by Bell Textron to provide encrypted flight recorders for MV-75 Long Range Assault Aircraft Program

Curtiss-Wright Corporation has been selected by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, to provide encrypted flight data recorder technology that will operate over the digital backbone on the United States Army’s MV-75 FLRAA next-generation tiltrotor program (previously known as Future Long Range Assault Aircraft or FLRAA), part of the Future Vertical Lift initiative.

Curtiss-Wright will supply Bell with a combined cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) using encryption technology. Curtiss-Wright’s first phase of the program began in July 2025 and will continue through full-rate production.

“We're proud to have been selected by Bell to supply our encrypted CVR and FDR technology in support of the U.S. Army’s MV-75 FLRAA program,” says Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “Building on our decades-long experience as a leading supplier of flight recorder equipment, this combined solution utilizes technology from across Curtiss-Wright’s portfolio to provide new capabilities into modern military aircraft. With the CVR/FDR solution, we will enable the designer and operator of the aircraft to provide improved safety to its air crew and passengers.”

The CVR/FDR uniquely leverages a combination of small size and weight, high-capacity storage and internationally certified encryption technology, enabling rapid deployment and reduced program risk. Based on Curtiss-Wright’s compact, lightweight Fortress CVR technology, this variant flight recorder is compliant with the latest FAA regulations and requirements for 25-hour CVRs as well as existing international regulations in Europe, Canada, Mexico and Singapore. The unit provides four channels of audio recording, all with wideband performance, providing superior clarity over current-generation recorders.

Curtiss-Wright is performing the work within its Defense Electronics segment.