Eaton to provide Bell V-280 Valor™ hydraulics system

Fort Worth, Texas (May 5, 2014) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announces today that power management company, Eaton (NYSE: ETN) will be providing the hydraulic system for the Bell V-280 Valor™ .  

John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter, says: “We are pleased Eaton is making the strategic decision to join our growing team of aerospace leaders and help develop our third generation tiltrotor, the Bell V-280. Eaton is teaming with Bell to provide a complete hydraulic system for the V-280. Team Valor continues to align interests and resources on this clean sheet design, together delivering technology and innovation that reduces cost, weight and complexity in order to make the next generation of tiltrotor technology more affordable.”

Eaton's contributions will include system design and analysis, component modification and qualification, and flight-testing support. Eaton's highly reliable products and proven technologies for the V-280 hydraulic system support power generation, fluid control and fluid distribution, and includes engine driven pumps, reservoirs, fuses, hoses, quick disconnects, tubing and the main engine starting subsystem.

Uday Yadav, president of Eaton’s Aerospace Group, says: “Eaton's selection as the V-280 hydraulic system supplier is based on our extensive track record of providing reliable, cost-effective solutions for next-generation aircraft. Our expertise in hydraulic system design, development and integration will help Bell Helicopter and Team Valor produce a revolutionary aircraft that strengthens the U.S. Army's operational capabilities."

John Garrison, Bell Helicopter President and CEO, presents Mark Schmidt, Sales Director - Eaton Fuel & Motion Control Division, a Bell V-280 model at the 2014 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville, TN.

The transformational features of Bell Helicopter's third generation tiltrotor technologies within the Joint Multi Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) reduce risk and inform the requirements for the Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.  The V-280 is designed to feature increased maintainability and component and systems reliability, while providing twice the speed and range of the U.S. Army’s current fleet. The Bell V-280 Valor will offer commanders a combat maneuver platform with the unmatched operational agility and effectiveness to self-deploy and perform multiple vertical lift missions.  

Team Valor is a group comprised of leading aerospace companies bringing the best engineering resources, industrial capabilities and critical thinking to meet the U.S. Army’s needs.  

Press Contact:

ANDY WOODWARD
+1 817-280-3100
mediarelations@bh.com
Online Media Kit | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

JOHN GANZERLA
+601-594-1257
JohnGanzerla@Eaton.com

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, Beechcraft, Hawker, 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 risk that the U.S. Army will not choose the Bell V-280 for its Future Vertical Lift program; the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses or delays in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries; changes in worldwide economic or political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates or foreign exchange rates; our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government; the U.S. Government's ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with us for the U.S. Government's convenience or for our failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, or, under certain circumstances, to withhold payment or suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards; changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products; and performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors or business partners.

About Eaton
Eaton is a power management company with 2013 sales of $22.0 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 101,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.