Bell Helicopter has started construction of a new Lafayette, Louisiana production facility that will house the final assembly line for the airframer's 505 Jet Ranger X.
The new 82,300ft² hangar – which will cost a total of $26.3 million to build – is due to be complete by June 2015, with assembly of the first of the new rotorcraft starting in 2016.
To date, Bell has accumulated more than 200 purchase agreements for the light, single-engined 505, which is scheduled to perform its maiden flight in November this year.
Initial flight-test examples of the Turbomeca Arrius 2R-powered helicopter are being assembled at Bell’s facility in Mirabel, Canada.
“We have received tremendous interest and support from our customers for this aircraft, confirming it was absolutely the right product for the market at this time,” says Bell chief executive John Garrison. “The ground breaking of the Bell Helicopter facility in Lafayette is a significant milestone toward aircraft production and delivery.”
Bell is targeting a cruise speed of 125kt (232 km/h), range of 360nm (667 km) and useful load of 1,500lb (680kg) for the Jet Ranger X.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
