Bell to Showcase Nexus Air Taxi and Iconic Innovations at Smithsonian “FUTURES” Exhibition

New Smithsonian exhibition showcases Bell’s future and legacy innovations and their impact on aviation

Washington, D.C. (September 21, 2021) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the Bell Nexus Air Taxi will be on display in the new Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (AIB) “FUTURES” exhibit coming this fall. The Bell Nexus Air Taxi, which made its public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019, is Bell’s futuristic electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) concept vehicle designed to move people, goods or data to revolutionize mobility.

The pursuit of electrically powered aircraft derives from Bell’s commitment to greener technology and the production and implementation of sustainable vehicles and operations. The development of the Nexus was one of Bell’s first initiatives in its pursuit of environmentally friendly vertical lift solutions and was designed to imagine a global standard for eVTOL aircraft capable of transporting passengers and goods with a low carbon footprint.

“The Bell team is paving the way for future electric-powered vehicles and greener technology to flourish,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell. “We have a rich history of partnership with the Smithsonian Institute, with our various legacy aviation and aerospace products on display throughout the years, and I’m excited that the Bell Nexus will be part of the new FUTURES exhibit.”

The Nexus exhibition will include digital display monitors that allow visitors to explore the vehicle’s technology and its real-world applications to serve civilian, humanitarian and a variety of other missions. Visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in Bell’s full history of flight while understanding how Bell will strive to shape advanced air mobility through the Nexus concept vehicle and future innovations in aviation.

The FUTURES exhibit will also showcase another iconic Bell innovation, the Bell Rocket Belt, widely renowned as the world’s first jet pack. This marks another significant addition to the Smithsonian’s display of historic breakthrough Bell technologies. Today, its National Air and Space Museum also holds the Bell X-1 plane, first aircraft to break the sound barrier, and the Bell 47B, first helicopter to receive civil certification.

“Since opening in 1881, the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building has introduced visitors to big ideas that have changed the world,” said Rachel Goslins, director of AIB. “We’re thrilled to be able to debut the Nexus in the very building where Americans first encountered early automobiles, famous steam engines, the Apollo 11 lunar capsule and the Spirit of St. Louis.”

Celebrating the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary, “FUTURES” will temporarily reopen AIB, the first U.S. National Museum, for the first time in nearly two decades. Part-exhibition, part-festival, “FUTURES” is a groundbreaking new museum experience that will fuse art, technology, design, and history to invite visitors to imagine not just one future, but many possible futures on the horizon. Built with the proceeds from the first great American World’s Fair, the AIB is an architectural landmark on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Dubbed “Palace of Wonders” and “Mother of Museums,” AIB introduced millions of visitors to wonders such as Edison’s lightbulb, the first telephone, and early moon rocks before closing to the public in 2004. “FUTURES” is the milestone first step in the long-term plan to renovate and permanently reopen the historic space.

For more on “FUTURES”, visit here. The exhibit debuts this November and will be free and open through July 2022.

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Bell Smithsonian Nexus Announcement.jpg

Felicia Votta

Technology & Innovation
All Media Contacts

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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