Anaheim, CA - February 25, 2014 – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), opened HELI-EXPO 2014 today at booth 4536 with a number of new announcements and models, headlined by the official introduction of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X™, the newly named aircraft designed for the short light single market. Three different aircraft mockups are on display at the booth and a new online ordering system was also launched to the public. In addition, the booth included a new mockup of the Bell 525 Relentless™ configured for search and rescue missions, a Bell 407GX, and a Bell 429WLG. Key program and segment leaders will provide customer presentations in Mission Theater Wednesday and Thursday at the booth, and Bell Helicopter will also conduct flight demonstrations at the show.
“Putting customers at the center of all we do is our business. Our customers rely on Bell Helicopter to help them perform their missions to exacting standards, and we're passionate about ensuring our aircraft and our people live up to customers' mission needs every day, every hour, every minute - throughout the life of the aircraft," said Garrison. "The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and the Bell 525 Relentless are the results of a customer-driven focus. Our customers’ input and ideas have been incorporated into the new products and services we're exhibiting this week at HELI-EXPO."
The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X places safety, efficiency and reliability at the forefront. It features a fully-integrated glass flight deck for reduced pilot workload, superb crew visibility for maximum situational awareness, and the Garmin G1000H for critical flight information at a glance. A Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine with dual channel FADEC and high inertia rotor system ensures the aircraft features the ideal combination of speed, range and useful load that delivers best-in-class performance. The five-seat, single-engine, turbine helicopter leverages Bell Helicopter’s proven technology and nearly 50 years of experience defining the SLS market with the original Bell JetRanger. With a cruise speed of 125 knots, range of 360 nautical miles and useful load of 1,500 pounds, the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is designed to be the safest and easiest aircraft to fly in the SLS category while still remaining affordably priced.
Additionally, Garrison shared updates on the recent progress of the Bell 525 Relentless program as its first flight approaches late this year. The Bell 525 is the world’s first fly-by-wire commercial helicopter, able to operate in austere environments safely and reliably with decreased pilot workload. Developed with continuous customer input, the Bell 525 offers unparalleled situational awareness and enhanced safety and reliability with the first touch screen glass flight deck designed for helicopters. The Bell 525 also features a Garmin G5000H fully-integrated glass flight deck and Bell's (Lift Assist Tail Boom Design) LATD™ technology for improved hover performance. The Relentless can comfortably accommodate 16 passengers and two crew members. It has a cruise speed of 155 knots and a range of 500 nautical miles. With a highly reconfigurable main cabin, the Bell 525 Relentless is adaptable to several mission needs, including corporate/VIP, firefighting, energy, helicopter air ambulance, and search and rescue.
Garrison wrapped up his comments by focusing on Bell Helicopter's renowned customer service and support capability. "We have a legacy of providing unmatched support and service," he said. "We're expanding our global footprint, providing even more industry-leading support and services." He concluded by announcing Bell Helicopter recently was named by Pro Pilot magazine as the number one company in service and support for the 20th consecutive year.
HELI-EXPO 2014, held in the Anaheim Convention Center, will host 20,000 industry professionals, more than 700 competitive exhibitors, over 60 helicopters on display and more than 50 educational opportunities, including education courses, seminars, workshops and forums.
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About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors; and continued demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.