Bell Helicopter and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) have entered an agreement to explore opportunities to work together in India’s rotorcraft market.
“Under this agreement TASL and Bell Helicopter will join forces to develop both commercial and government (including military) rotary wing markets in India in the Light Utility and Reconnaissance segments,” says Bell in a statement.
“The scope of this agreement is intended to include potential production and assembly capabilities, certain training and maintenance, repair and overhaul requirements, as well as research and development programs and technology sharing that will grow industrial capabilities and result in innovative “Make in India” solutions.”
TASL has partnerships with several foreign companies.
TASL’s work packages include the fuselage of the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, the empennage of the Lockheed Martin C-130J, the aft fuselage and tail cone for the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, the wing assembly and other major work on the Pilatus PC-12, and major work on Ruag’s Dornier 228NG, for which it produces 3,000 detailed parts, as well as the fuselage, empennage, and wings. It also has component work on several other programmes, including structural work on the Cobham refuelling pods found on the Airbus Defence & Space A400M and Embraer KC-390.
In June, TASL and Boeing broke ground on a facility in Hyderabad to produce AH-64 Apache attack helicopter fuselages under a joint venture arrangement.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
