Bell names key suppliers

Bell Helicopter announced
the latest list of key suppliers for the Bell 525 Relentless.

“This is an important
milestone for the 525 Relentless program as we transition from the preliminary
design phase into detailed design,” said Larry Thimmesch, Bell Helicopter’s
vice president of commercial programmes.

Thimmesch continued “Collaborating
with these critical suppliers on our customer solution is testament to just how
far the Relentless program has come in a few short months since it was unveiled
at HeliExpo in Dallas, Texas this February. The new Bell 525
Relentless is a culmination of our research and development efforts, in
collaboration with continual inputs from our Customer Advisory Panel, comprised
of large operators from around the globe in every segment of the
business.”

Bell Helicopter has
established agreements for equipment, parts and tooling with the following
suppliers for the 525 Relentless programme:

GKN Aerospace – Airframe
Structure (Complex Machining & Composites)

Goodrich – Ice Protection
System

Israel Aerospace Industries
Ltd. – Passenger Seating

Mecaer Aviation Group –
Wheeled Landing Gear

Kuka – Major Structure
Tooling

Pacifica Engineering – Rotor & Drive Tooling

Triumph Group – Airframe
Structure (Complex Machining & Composites)

“Securing these leading
suppliers for parts, systems and tooling underscores the progress we are making
toward our objective of meeting our customers’ needs by delivering this game
changing product to the market as soon as possible. These suppliers are
examples in how we are implementing the use of proven new technology to meet
our customer’s future needs to safely, repeatedly and reliably execute their
missions,” added Thimmesch.

The Bell 525 Relentless mock
up with be on display at the Farnborough International Airshow.