...For US101 Production

AgustaWestland has reached agreement with Bell Helicopter (Fort Worth, TX) to form a Joint Venture company to manufacture the US101 helicopter in America.

The Joint Venture company will act as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin which, as prime contractor and systems integrator, will have overall responsibility for the program and delivery of the US101 helicopter to the customer.

The US101 is the American version of AgustaWestland's EH-101 helicopter (pictured), widely considered to be the most advanced medium lift helicopter in production today. With over 36,000 hours of accumulated flight time, the EH-101 has been selected by five NATO countries and Japan for 21st century helicopter requirements. Variants are in service in the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and Japan, performing a variety of missions, from search and rescue to maritime surveillance, battlefield support, law enforcement and civil operations.

UK Royal Navy Merlin MK1 variants were deployed in the Gulf in support of coalition forces, and RAF Merlin MK3 helicopters were recently deployed to Bosnia for peacekeeping roles.

Prez to get new chopper

The US101 will be built in America to fulfill the US Government's 21st-century helicopter requirements of the United States Air Force and Coast Guard in their search and rescue missions, and the Marine Corps as an executive transportation replacement for the 30-plus-year-old Marine One helicopter.

Stephen C. Moss, President of AgustaWestland Inc. referred to the selection of Bell as the "perfect partner to join Team US101. It will be great to have the prestige and professionalism of the Bell team to build this helicopter in the U.S."

"The US101 is a spacious helicopter that can be configured for whatever mission is required -- from submarine surveillance to executive transport," said Moss. "It is a very versatile helicopter with an excellent safety record and can carry 30+ combat troops quickly over long distances."

"We are delighted to add Bell Helicopter to Team US101," said Frank Meyer, President of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego. "With the selection of Bell as the domestic manufacturer, the US101 aircraft is ready to serve America's heroes."

Glenn Hess, President and Chief Operating Officer of Bell Textron, said he was very proud to be joining this team and being able to participate with AgustaWestland and Lockheed Martin in meeting the U.S. Government customers' requirements. He hailed AgustaWestland as "an innovative aircraft company that has been a great partner with Bell for almost 50 years." 

Bell and Agusta currently are partners in building the AB139, a new light medium twin-engine helicopter, and the BA609 (above), the world's first civil tilt rotor aircraft. "When the U.S. Government requires a modern medium lift helicopter, we will be positioned to immediately respond to their
requirements," he said.

FMI: www.TeamUS101.com