Texas Department of Public Safety Accepts Delivery of Bell 407GXi

Bell and Texas DPS leadership gathered in Austin to celebrate this milestone

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Austin, TX (May 28, 2026) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the delivery of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) new Bell 407GXi. This delivery comes on the heels of an announcement made during Verticon earlier this year highlighting the purchase order of the new Bell 407GXi to Texas DPS.

 

“Bell is proud of the nearly 60-year relationship we have with Texas DPS, and we are excited to be here today to deliver this Bell 407GXi,” said Linda Deslatte, Bell vice president of commercial programs. “The Bell 407GXi is a proven, reliable aircraft in use by hundreds of public safety agencies throughout the world, and I look forward to seeing this aircraft working in the skies across Texas.”

 

Recently celebrating 75 years headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Bell proudly supports public safety operators across the globe. This new Bell 407GXi will join the department’s Bell 412EP and their extensive air operations mixed fleet, serving as a great addition with advanced technology and mission-versatility.

 

“The addition of this aircraft to the DPS fleet will strengthen our ability to protect and serve Texas while expanding the support we can provide to our partner agencies across the state,” said Chief of the Aircraft Operations Division Stacy Holland. “This enhanced aviation capability gives DPS greater flexibility to provide critical aerial support and eyes in the sky during emergencies, law enforcement operations and large- scale public safety events.”

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In 1967, Texas DPS began their helicopter operations with two Bell 47G-5, the first Bell aircraft model produced in Texas. These aircraft proved to be effective in performing manhunts, search and rescue operations, and ensuring the safety of the land across the state of Texas. In 1969, the department added five additional Bell aircraft: three Bell 206 Jet Rangers and two Bell 47G-4As. Over the years, the department went on to operate additional Bell models, including the Bell 206B, Bell 206L, and later, the Bell 412EP.

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The Bell 407GXi is designed to deliver exceptional performance, reliability and versatility. Equipped with advanced avionics, safety features, cargo hooks and a spacious cabin, the aircraft is ideal for public safety operators and has been used to complete countless missions. The design highlights safety and efficiency for customers, ensuring operators can complete their operations with confidence. To learn more about how Bell’s products support public safety, firefighting and police operations across the globe, visit the product page.

 

About Bell

About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We're an aerospace and defense company that engineers and manufactures aircraft for critical solutions in extreme scenarios. We're breaking barriers in lifting people to safety across transportation, medical, rescue and military services, and leading the industry in future solutions that are fast, reliable and efficient.

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 Inc.

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, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. 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 cancelations or deferrals of orders.


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