NSA 407MRH Multi-Role Helicopter
US Army looks to acquire Bell helicopters for
government and FMS customers
Gareth Jennings -
Jane's Defence Weekly
21 December 2017
The US Army is looking to acquire up to 150 Bell
Helicopter rotorcraft for transfer to other US government agencies and Foreign
Military Sale (FMS) customers.
A request for information (RFI) posted on the Federal
Business opportunities (FedBizOpps) website on 20 December called for parties
capable of producing and delivering Bell helicopters, including but not limited
to the 407GX, 412EPI, 505, and Huey II, over a five-year period.
Interested parties were invited to respond to the
Department of the Army within 30 of the RFI having been issued.
The Bell 407GX is a four-bladed derivative of the
twin-bladed JetRanger-series of single-engine helicopters. First launched in
2011, the 407GX has previously been delivered to the United Arab Emirates for
conversion into the Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH) light attack and armed
reconnaissance platform by NorthStar Aviation.
The Bell 412EPI is the latest variant of the 412 that
features a digital ‘glass’ cockpit and upgraded engines. Military operators of
the Bell 412-series include Chile, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway,
Pakistan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Montenegro is also looking to
field the type.
The Bell 505 JetRanger X is a single-engined helicopter
that is geared largely at the trainer market. Still relatively new (the type
was launched in 2013), only seven helicopters are understood to have been sold
to date, although letters of intent have been received from a number of
potential future customers. Foreign military interest has come from South
Korea, which is looking to field 40 new training helicopters.
The Huey II is the latest iteration of the venerable UH-1
‘Huey’ helicopter that has been in US and international service since the time
of the Vietnam War. Featuring a refurbished airframe and upgraded systems, the
Huey II has already been adopted by a number of foreign militaries, including
Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, and Uganda.
Original post: janes.com
407MRH Multi-Role Light Attack Helicopter: Details
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