Republic of Korea Selects Bell 505 as its New Military Helicopter Trainer

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Bell will deliver up to 40 Bell 505 aircraft by 2025

Singapore (May 17, 2022) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced the selection of the Bell 505 as the new Republic of Korea military helicopter trainer. The new Bell 505 helicopters will be used by both the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) to train their next generation of helicopter pilots.

The contract, which was signed between the Republic of Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration and Bell, calls for the building and delivery of up to 40 Bell 505 helicopters by 2025. 

“The Republic of Korea’s selection of the Bell 505 after a rigorous review process, confirms it is the preferred next-generation military helicopter trainer globally for training pilots,” said Patrick Moulay, senior vice president, International Commercial Sales, Bell. “With the ever-increasing operational needs and challenges faced by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, Bell is privileged to play a part in training future ROKA and ROKN pilots.”

In February, the Bell 505 achieved 100,000 global fleet hours, and there have been more than 360 Bell 505 global deliveries since 2017. The Republic of Korea Armed Forces will join government agencies across the world, including the Indonesian Navy, Jamaican Air Force, Japan Coast Guard, United Arab Emirates military and Montenegro Defence Force, in utilizing the Bell 505 as its helicopter trainer.

With light single helicopters forming the majority of training helicopters globally, the Bell 505 is well suited to prepare future military pilots to meet the myriad of challenges they will face in their missions.

The Bell 505 is Bell’s newest five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability. With the latest Garmin avionics and dual channel FADEC-controlled engine, the Bell 505 is the most advanced short light single-engine aircraft on the market.

Bell 505 Military Trainer.jpg

Eugene Tan

Singapore | Asia-Pacific
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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.

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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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