Patrick Moulay, Vice President for Global Marketing at helicopter manufacturer Bell, answered Militär Aktuell’s questions about the new military version of the Jet Ranger on the fringes of the air show in Dubai.
The 407 could also land in Austria in the future. Due to the drop in oil prices, many helicopter-dependent platform operators canceled orders last year. Has this development also affected the military market?
Rather no. As we are not a very big player in the so-called “offshore segment”, we had a good and stable year in 2015, albeit not a sensational one. Other manufacturers of larger helicopters were certainly more affected by this development. Overall, we delivered the same number of aircraft as in 2014, with the military segment developing very positively. The 407 model, which was also on display in Zeltweg a few years ago, probably played a role in this.
At the time, this was the 407GT with armament capability. In the meantime, we have arrived at the 407GX and its armed offshoot, the 407MRH (see picture below). At the same time, we are also working on other militarized platforms, for example based on the 505 series, which has sold 350 units, and in future the 525. The UAE has already ordered 56 units of the 407MRH and has already received 50 of them. In Abu Dhabi, our US partner Northstar is installing the armament, a night vision mission cockpit, an IR TV sensor and various self-protection features.
According to Northstar, 407MRH from the UAE have also been used in the war in Yemen?
If they say so … (smiles). The label “tried and tested” is certainly not a bad thing for us.
Austria’s armed forces could soon be procuring new multi-purpose helicopters. Is this an issue for Bell?
Definitely, we have already had team meetings about this. The actual application will probably be handled by our European headquarters at Prague Airport. In any case, a 407 version would be a good choice for Austria, not too big, cheap to operate and also versatile …
… and like its ancestor, the 206 Jet Ranger, which was part of the army’s air fleet for a long time, a civilian design?
Yes, the 407 is already well established in the civilian sector, and we have concluded a major 10-year order for up to 200 units with the emergency medical service Air Methods. We can also build on this in the military sector in terms of costs.
Click here for the other articles in our “5 questions to” series and here for further news from helicopter manufacturer Bell.
