Bell Steps Up With An Aggressively Innovative New Helo Design

Promoted with a fair degree of showmanship, ANN had a ringside seat as Bell Helicopter unveiled the first public view of what they call the world’s first “super-medium” helicopter, the Bell 525 Relentless, early on the opening day of the 2012 Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas.

The Bell 525 Relentless defines the new “super medium” product class - positioned at the upper end of the medium class and designed to offer best-in-class capabilities to their customers. It features superior payload and range, cabin and cargo volumes and crew visibility.

The new Bell 525 Relentless will be powered by the reliable performance of world-class GE engines – the GE CT7-2F1. This latest version of the highly successful CT7 family is designed with an emphasis on low fuel consumption, low cost of operation and with other technical features to ensure aircraft meet the requirements of long range, high payload missions. The CT7-2F1 engine includes a state-of-the-art Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) plus advanced materials, primarily in the turbine section.

The 525 also serves as the launch customer for the new Garmin G5000H, an integrated flight deck specifically designed for twin turbine, medium lift helicopters. The G5000H combines widescreen displays with touchscreen controls to bring leading edge technology, safety enhancements and reliability to this class of helicopters.

Capable of carrying up to 16 passengers, the Bell 525 Relentless is designed to support our customers in various mission configurations including oil & gas, search & rescue, helicopter emergency medical services and VIP/corporate transport.

FMI: www.textron.com, www.bellhelicopter.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews