Bell Helicopter 429 selected by Royal Australian Navy
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced today it was awarded a new contract by Raytheon Australia to provide three Bell 429s for the Royal Australian Navy's Retention and Motivation Initiative.
The Retention and Motivation Initiative provides the Royal Australian Navy with supported aircraft to allow junior qualified aircrew to consolidate and enhance their skills prior to flying operational helicopters. Under the terms of this four-year contract, these three state-of-the-art Bell 429s will replace currently operated helicopters in the fleet and fly a minimum of 1,500 flight hours per year.
"We are pleased by the Royal Australian Navy's enthusiasm for the Bell 429, and we are looking forward to working with Raytheon Australia in supporting the Royal Australian Navy's Retention and Motivation Initiative," said Sameer Rehman, Bell Helicopter's managing director for the Asia Pacific region.
"The Bell 429 is a perfect fit for the development of pilot and crew skills to make the transition to fleet aircraft. Its modern avionics, cabin size and speed will serve the Royal Australian Navy and Raytheon Australia well in this role. Not to mention the Bell 429 is backed by Bell Helicopter's industry-leading customer support and service," he added.
Bell Helicopter has supported the Australian Defence Force for more than 50 years, through the sale and support of the Bell 47 Sioux, the Bell 206 Kiowa and Bell UH-1 family of helicopters - and now the Bell 429.
Source: Bell Helicopter
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Argentina orders Bell 407s for military search and rescue missions]()
Argentina orders Bell 407s for military search and rescue missions
Argentina is to acquire six Bell 407 helicopters for search and rescue operations by the country's army and air force under a government-to-government contract with Canada.
-
![Sikorsky awaits UK New Medium Helicopter requirements to unveil production plans, explores new X2 design]()
Sikorsky awaits UK New Medium Helicopter requirements to unveil production plans, explores new X2 design
Sikorsky has yet to reveal its production plans for its UK New Medium Helicopter contender while industry anxiously anticipate the release of critical acquisition targets. The company also continues the exploration of its X helicopter concept for the international market.
-
![CH-47F Chinook Block II reaches final assembly line as wider programme moves forward]()
CH-47F Chinook Block II reaches final assembly line as wider programme moves forward
The Block II upgrade incorporates various enhancements to increase lift capability and commonality between US Army and allied fleets, reducing maintenance costs.
-
![Uruguay's African peacekeepers to receive new support helicopter]()
Uruguay's African peacekeepers to receive new support helicopter
The donation of a utility helicopter by the UA will increase the Uruguayan peacekeeping deployment’s air support capabilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
-
![Turkiye's Gokbey helicopter marks first indigenous engined flight]()
Turkiye's Gokbey helicopter marks first indigenous engined flight
On April 22, 2023, Turkish Aerospace’s T-625 GOKBEY general-purpose helicopter conducted a test flight with an indigenous TEI-TS1400 engine for the first time.
-
![Canada to upgrade AW101 rescue helicopters in-country under Leonardo-IMP deal]()
Canada to upgrade AW101 rescue helicopters in-country under Leonardo-IMP deal
Canada's IMP Aerospace will carry out upgrades on 13 of the 16 AW101 aircraft covered by the CMLU programme under a sub-contract from Leonardo Helicopters UK.
