Bell Helicopter has unveiled two upgrades to bolster the 407 light helicopter in the commercial and paramilitary markets, while executives acknowledge interest in expanding its portfolio of civil products.
The 407GX integrates the Garmin 1000H avionics system and the 407AH adds commercially available machine guns and sensors to a Federal Aviation Administration-certificated airframe.
Both products were released within 18 months of a launch decision inside Bell, says chief executive John Garrison.
With the G1000H, the 407GX offers new situational awareness, including a synthetic vision system, terrain alert warning system and a moving map on twin, 10.4in (26.4cm) displays.
Three of Bell's 13 aircraft orders announced at the show were signed for the 407GX, with the 429 and 412EP picking up the others.
The 407AH also has reached terms with a foreign launch customer, but Bell is not authorised to disclosed the buyer. Garrison confirms the deal is not based on the 30 armed 407s purchased by the Iraqi air force, which involved weaponising of the civil airframe by a contractor selected by the US Army.
Both products are intended to help Bell's commercial business rebound after a long decline. The company focused on executing military programmes over the past decade has taken a toll on Bell's commercial market share.
Last year, Bell delivered 131 commercial aircraft, and corporate officials have predicted a slight increase in 2011. In parent company Textron's latest annual earnings teleconference with analysts, Bell was described as working on a "sort of add-on to the family of helicopters".
Garrison notes that Bell's current portfolio spans across 80% of the market. The company is also looking for "opportunities in the marketplace where they may be", he adds, but declines to identify in which market segments.
Source: Flight International
