Two Debutants Take the Stage on Opening Day of Heli-Expo
Two dramatic launches—mood music, helicopters behind screens and clever audio visual presentations—accompanied the launches of the Bell 525 Relentless super medium transport (SMT) and the Eurocopter EC130T2.
While you can find the full specifications elsewhere in this news section, Bell President & CEO John Garrison told a packed audience that this was “Bell on a mission to revitalize our commercial business.” He also keenly emphasized Textron’s belief in the helicopter business after years where Bell has, to some extent, been seen as the weakest OEM among the four major helicopter makers. It lost international market share and has seemingly suffered from its long-term commitment to the development of the tiltrotors—both the military V-22 and civil BA609.
Bell introduced the 525 Relentless Feb. 12 during Heli-Expo. Photo by Andrew Parker, Editor-in-Chief
However, it has now rid itself of any further responsibility for the (now re-badged) AW609—unless AgustaWestland manages to turn it into a military aircraft in the future (and then we are led to believe it may have an interest again). The V-22s are nicely into production and have served with the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force in war zones, but the now steady acquisition has poured regular income into the company’s coffers, even if the Department of Defense cuts back on production. And now a new five-bladed, 10-ton helicopter, the Bell 525 Relentless has been launched with the corner just having been turned from the bad times of the last few years.
While you can find the full specifications elsewhere in this news section, Bell President & CEO John Garrison told a packed audience that this was “Bell on a mission to revitalize our commercial business.” He also keenly emphasized Textron’s belief in the helicopter business after years where Bell has, to some extent, been seen as the weakest OEM among the four major helicopter makers. It lost international market share and has seemingly suffered from its long-term commitment to the development of the tiltrotors—both the military V-22 and civil BA609.
Bell introduced the 525 Relentless Feb. 12 during Heli-Expo. Photo by Andrew Parker, Editor-in-Chief
However, it has now rid itself of any further responsibility for the (now re-badged) AW609—unless AgustaWestland manages to turn it into a military aircraft in the future (and then we are led to believe it may have an interest again). The V-22s are nicely into production and have served with the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force in war zones, but the now steady acquisition has poured regular income into the company’s coffers, even if the Department of Defense cuts back on production. And now a new five-bladed, 10-ton helicopter, the Bell 525 Relentless has been launched with the corner just having been turned from the bad times of the last few years.
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