Aircraft

^{GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC}
Manufacturer unveils second helicopter in plan for new affordable range of rotorcraft

Bell plans to develop a new med­ium twin-turbine helicopter as the second member of its Modular Affordable Product Line (MAPL) family. The company says the New Medium Twin (NMT) will be next in the MAPL sequence after the Model 429 light twin now in development, with certification planned “around the start of the decade”.

The manufacturer is surveying the market to determine the requirements for the NMT, and in a recent presentation to analysts showed two notional configurations: a streamlined design with 16 passengers in four rows of high-density seating typical of today’s helicopters; and a larger machine with airliner-style two-plus-one seating for 17.

Bell’s 429 is to fly later this year, with certification and first deliveries planned for 2007. This will be followed in early 2008 by the improved Model 417 light single. The Bell/Agusta BA609 six/nine-passenger civil tiltrotor is scheduled for certification in 2010, and would be followed by the NMT.

There are also tentative plans for two new light singles, the five-seat MAPL 351 to succeed the 206B-3 and the eight-seat MAPL 381 to follow the 206L-4, and new light twin, the eight-seat MAPL 382. Bell is also conducting what it calls a “voice of the customer” process to decide on upgrades for the Model 430 intermediate twin.

The goal of MAPL is to produce new helicopters with a high degree of commonality to reduce development and production costs and provide the customer with affordability, training, support and safety benefits. Last year, Bell withdrew from its joint venture with AgustaWestland on the AB139, clearing the way for development of a new medium helicopter.