Bell 407 JetRanger

Bell has a history of tackling ambitious projects with teams of dedicated employees-such as the great effort to produce the first Cobra attack helicopter back in the mid-1960s and, more recently, the development of the Bell 407 commercial helicopter in less than one year.

The Bell 407 incorporates the high performance, combat proven, composite dynamic components of the U.S. Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior to achieve sports car-like handling and exceptional capability. This seven-seat, single-engine helicopter delivers the best speed, payload, and range in its class.

This helicopter can carry 6 passengers. The helicopter can fly very fast at nearly 256 km/h. The fuselage is about 10 meters (32 feet) long. From one rotor tip to the other rotor tip, the blades are about 10 meters (32 feet) long. The helicopter is almost 4 meters (12 feet) tall.

Bell further adapted and improved dynamic components of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and coupled them with a roomy, open, composite fuselage of modular design and powerful Pratt & Whitney PW207D engines to achieve the Bell 427. Fast, smooth and reliable, the Bell 427 is a superior seven-seat, twin-engine helicopter that delivers.

Bell further adapted and improved dynamic components of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and coupled them with a roomy, open, composite fuselage of modular design and powerful Pratt & Whitney PW207D engines to achieve the Bell 427. Fast, smooth and reliable, the Bell 427 is a superior seven-seat, twin-engine helicopter that delivers.

The Bell 407 brings superior attributes together to make a phenomenal aircraft. The sports car-like handling with exceptional hot and high hover capability and unparalleled rotor control authority combined with a fuselage and large composite panels ensures ruggedness and ease of maintenance.

The Bell 407 uses the high performance, combat proven, composite dynamic components of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior for unmatched handling. Enhanced crashworthiness stems from a robust cabin design and a rupture resistant fuel system.

This provides superior performance with the best speed, payload and range available in its class. It has exceptional passenger comfort with the smoothest ride in its class and wide-open club seating for unparalleled visibility. Pilot-friendly attributes include a twist grip throttle on the collective and a FADEC for the engine.

The Bell 407 is one of most popular and reliable aircraft in the commercial helicopter market. Since its FAA certification in February 1996, Bell has delivered 625 Bell 407's to customers throughout the world, making it the fastest selling turbine powered helicopter in history. In fact, Bell demonstrated its capability for high production rates with the 407 by producing 140 aircraft per year in both 1997 and 1998.

The 407 has also proven to be a great helicopter for customers in virtually every conceivable helicopter market including: Corporate, Law Enforcement, EMS, Electronic News Gathering and Utility. Operators fly Bell 407 helicopters in over 50 countries around the world. The current fleet of Bell 407 helicopters has logged over 1.25 million flight hours, with the high time aircraft topping 10,000 flight hours.

The design of its airframe has a long-standing track record of performance and reliability, not to mention tangible cost benefits for. Superior hover performance, speed and an even ride, the 407 is another reason to fly Bell.

On 24 September 2003, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of Bell 407 Helicopters as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $97 million.

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 40 Bell 407 helicopters with commercial avionics package, support equipment, spare/repair parts, publications/technical data, personnel training/equipment, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $97 million.

This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security of the United States by providing Pakistan increased technological capacity to support the U.S. Government Operation Enduring Freedom efforts.

The proposed sale of Bell helicopters will have a significant impact on Pakistan's ability to secure its borders. At the same time, this technology poses no threat to the balance of power in the region. This proposed sale will have a dramatic impact on Pakistan's ability to support U.S. objectives in the Global War on Terror. The terrain along Pakistan's border is extremely rugged and difficult to secure. Its dense mountainous regions, rugged terrain and vast borders make it virtually impossible to secure without the mobility provided by aviation assets. Vehicle support is limited to utility trucks, and there is limited cross-country capability. The lack of mobility for observation, transportation and interdiction seriously limits Pakistan's ability to stop border-crossing violations. The addition of U.S. provided helicopters would add the following capabilities required for anti-terrorist and border security operations: (1) observation platforms to better patrol the mountainous border region, and (2) transportation platforms to move personnel to areas of suspected infiltrations.

The prime contractor will be Bell Helicopter of Fort Worth, Texas. There are no offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of a contractor representative in Pakistan for two years.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. was awarded the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) contact July 29, 2005. It called for Bell to build 368 aircraft for delivery during fiscal years 2006 through 2013 with the final cost estimated at $3 billion. The contract signing ceremony was held on Aug. 29, 2005.