Bell Says will Assemble 407GXi in Alabama Should it Win US Navy Contract

Bell Helicopter has announced that it will conduct final assembly of the Bell 407GXi should it win the US Navy’s contract for 130 training choppers.

Fort Worth, Texas: Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc company, has announced that should the Bell 407GXi be selected for the US Navy Advanced Helicopter Trainer program, the company will conduct final assembly of the aircraft in Ozark, Alabama, in the United States. Bell submitted its proposal to the US Navy on April 2. The US Navy is seeking to acquire 130 helicopters.

“Bell is proud to be the only U.S.-based manufacturer to participate in the Navy Advanced Helicopter Trainer competition,” said Mitch Snyder, President and CEO. “Our Ozark team has proven their capabilities delivering Bell 407s to the Navy through the Fire Scout program. We look forward to providing a safe, technologically advanced aircraft for the next generation of Naval aviators.”




The Bell 407GXi comes equipped with the new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 dual channel FADEC turbine engine. The engine delivers exceptional hot and high performance, fuel efficiency and the ability to cruise at 133 kts or 246 kms/hr.

The aircraft also features Garmin’s G1000H NXi Integrated Flight Deck. The highly advanced flight deck delivers enhanced situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by delivering information at a glance, such as Helicopter Synthetic Vision TechnologyTM with Terrain and Obstacle Warning, improving safety for the future of naval flight training.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., –Bell helicopter has strategic locations around the globe. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services.