Vintage Bell: The Bell X-22 Aircraft

In the 1960s, when the U.S. Navy decided to expand its advanced technology portfolio to include dynamic, VTOL aircraft, they consulted with a world-renowned company that was currently exploring this innovation – Bell Aerospace.

With our team’s ever-pioneering spirit, Bell was already developing a similar prototype. This aircraft flew with three blade propellers mounted on four wings and showcased vertical and/ or short take-off and landing (V/STOL). During takeoff, the propellers would tilt upwards or at 45 degrees, demonstrating a new type of aircraft movement that could handle short runways. This revolutionary vehicle – the best of its time - was known as the Bell X-22.

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The Bell X-22 model continued successful flights into the 1980s, even though the original program was canceled. It is currently on display at the Niagara Aerospace Museum in New York. As for the technology, its concept lives on through our Bell Nexus 4EX, another vehicle that demonstrates the possibility of duct and propeller technology. Exploring new ways of enhancing vertical take-off and landing aircraft is a journey our teams have embarked on since our very beginning. Today, this mission carries on.

Discover what our teams are doing to continue the legacy and develop VTOL aircraft for consumers, warfighters and customers across the world.

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About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

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. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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