BRENDAN SOBIE / BUSAN
Companies agree memorandum of understanding covering development of improved light twin-turbine helicopter
Bell Helicopter and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a new variant of the 427 light twin-turbine helicopter.
Bell chief executive Michael Redenbaugh says the aircraft will enable operations under single-pilot instrument flight rules (IFR), raise the operating ceiling from 10,000ft (3,050m) to 20,000ft, and lower the minimum operating temperature from -20ºC (-4ºF) to -40ºC. Bell is also contemplating a cabin extension of around 0.3m.
Sales of the current 427, limited to visual flight rules operations, have been slow, with only 37 deliveries since the programme was launched by Bell and KAI in 1997. The companies have been in talks over restructuring the programme to develop an IFR variant and shift workshare to South Korea (Flight International, 28 October-3 November). KAI builds the cabin and is responsible for sales in China, South Korea and South-East Asia.
"The customer base has been asking for improvements to the 427, specifically requesting single-pilot IFR, higher operating ceilings and increased cabin volume for emergency medical services and other types of operations," says Redenbaugh. Bell and KAI need to negotiate workshare and determine how much they will each invest in the new variant, and Redenbaugh says a third investor is being sought.
Industry sources say Bell's Japanese agent, Mitsui, is likely to be the third investor. Mitsui has been lobbying Bell to develop an IFR-capable light twin so it can enter competitions held by the Japanese police force.
Bell believes it can capture at least 20% of the light twin market, which is an estimated 75-80 aircraft a year, with Japan and South Korea accounting for many sales. The company is in talks with five avionics manufacturers about the new IFR-capable suite and plans to select a supplier early next year.
Source: Flight International
