GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
New light helicopter part of product revamp to compete against European manufacturer
Bell will launch a new light helicopter at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) show in February, says Russ Meyer, president of parent Textron's aviation sector, which includes Bell and Cessna.
The new product will be part of a revamp of the manufacturer's commercial helicopter line-up.
Meyer says Bell cannot compete against the Eurocopter EC120 with an upgraded Model 206, and must develop a new light single-turbine helicopter. The company unveiled concept studies of a new JRX entry-level helicopter this year (Flight International, 19-26 February). Honeywell is proposing an engine for the new machine, and Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce are likely bidders.
Textron formed its aircraft sector in January, making retired Cessna chief executive Meyer president. He and former Cessna chief engineer Milt Sills have been working with Bell on commercial product development, including the new light helicopter and upgrades to the Model 412 medium twin-turbine helicopter. "We are also working to take cost out of the Model 430 [intermediate twin]," Meyer says.
He adds that Bell has faced three challenges: getting the Bell Boeing V-22 back in the air, getting the US Marine Corps H-1 upgrade programme back on track and revamping its commercial product line, which has been losing market share to the EC120 and EC135 light twins. The V-22 and H-1 problems, along with development of the BA609 civil tilt-rotor, diverted resources from the civil helicopter line, Meyer says.
The V-22 is back in flight test and the H-1 programme has been restructured. BA609 development has been slowed - the first prototype BA609 could fly in December, Meyer says.
Source: Flight International
