Fort Worth, TX (November 5, 2018) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today a signed teaming agreement with Electric Power Systems (EPS), for the development of energy storage systems for Bell’s vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and on-demand mobility (ODM) solutions.
“This collaboration with EPS is intended to further enhance the safety and performance of our aircraft through unique power storage capabilities,” said Bell’s Scott Drennan, vice president of Innovation. “As we forge relationships with new teammates, we move one step closer to bringing viable urban air mobility to the everyday commuter.”
EPS develops high-performance, low-cost energy storage systems such as batteries, power electronics, thermal management systems and battery management systems for high-reliability applications. These energy storage systems will be designed to provide the energy resource for the hybrid propulsion system.
“This relationship aligns with our vision as well as Bell’s vision to advance electric aircraft for commercial and military aviation applications,” said Nathan Millecam, CEO of EPS. “Our Energy Storage System leverages advanced active battery management technology that enables our battery module to improve life, reduce cost, and meet stringent FAA safety requirements around cell containment in thermal runaway at a very light weight.”
Bell continues to build the ODM network and is responsible for the design, development and production of the Air Taxi, while EPS will lead the design, development, testing, production and support of the energy storage systems. As previously announced, Safran will provide the hybrid propulsion systems, Garmin will integrate the autonomous vehicle management computer (VMC) systems, and Thales will lead the flight controls system avionics.
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ABOUT ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS
Electric Power Systems (EPS) provides disruptive technologies to high-reliability markets by providing world-class energy storage systems that are safe, reliable and low cost. EPS’s vision is to disrupt how we travel through its battery and technology solutions.
ABOUT BELL
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 80 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.
We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were aboard NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of on-demand mobility.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.
Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
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, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
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