Textron Bell revenue falls 9% in third quarter

Textron Bell revenue fell 9% to $933m in the third quarter of 2026, down $93m from a year earlier, with decline attributable to both military and as civilian segments.

“Commercial helicopters, parts and services revenues decreased $34m compared to the third quarter of 2025, largely due to lower volume and mix,” said Bell’s chief financial officer David Rosenberg during an earnings call.

Overall, the Bell delivered 29 commercial helicopters, down from 30 a year earlier. Textron attributed the drop in segment profit mainly to lower volume and mix.

The segment’s profit fell 17% to $76m.

Bell’s backlog ended the quarter at $7.6bn, $24m higher on sequential basis from the second quarter of 2026.

“Operationally, Bell continues to focus on initiatives to strengthen the supply chain and improve production efficiency and output,” said Lisa Atherton, CEO, Textron in the earnings call.

“This includes castings, rotor blade extrusions and various types of aerospace steel alloys. Selective capacity for our problematic assemblies to relieve suppliers and provide on-time delivery has also progressed.”

Across Textron as a whole, revenue was $3.8bn, up 4%, and adjusted earnings per share were $1.76, against $1.55 a year earlier.

The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share outlook to $6.55–$6.65.

Bell said the company has ramped up production activities for its first half to fulfil a military sales order from Nigeria. The contract covers 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters valued at about $455m, with aircraft production expected to be completed in early 2029.

Meanwhile, in August Bell Textron handed over its 700th Bell 505 (pictured top)  to the aircraft’s new owner at the Farnborough Air Show.