Mirabel Plant Will Do A Lot Of The Work

Bell Helicopter has been awarded a $2.2 billion contract by the United States Army to build its next generation Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, or ARH. The ARH will replace the Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopter also produced by Bell. The
contract calls for Bell Helicopter to build 368 aircraft for delivery during fiscal years 2006 through 2013. The Mirabel, Quebec Bell Helicopter facility will perform a large portion of the work on that contract, according to Bell.

"We are honored to have been chosen by the US Army to continue our legacy of providing outstanding Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter technology," said Mike Redenbaugh, Chief Executive Officer of Bell Helicopter Textron. "The Army requires a state-of-the art Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter and that's exactly what Bell Helicopter will deliver."

Bell's ARH is a militarized version of its highly successful 407 single engine light helicopter. The Bell ARH will provide the Army with exceptional mission versatility and with the flexibility to accomplish armed reconnaissance, light attack, troop insertion, and special operations missions with a single aircraft. The Bell ARH will also provide greater deployability, interoperability and survivability.

"We look forward to this partnership both with the Army and with our world-class aerospace suppliers-to provide a premier aircraft to America's troops," Redenbaugh said.

The 1600 Mirabel employees will accomplish an important portion of this work, Bell executives said. They will assemble the 368 basic Bell 407s that will then be transferred to the USA for completion and delivery. Bell Helicopter's Mirabel President's Jacques St-Laurent stated: "I am delighted that the Mirabel employees will have the opportunity to contribute to this challenge. We are the best in the world when it comes to commercial helicopter assembly and we will prove it
once more."

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.textron.com