Rolls-Royce and Bell Helicopter have signed a long-term agreement to install upgraded M250 engines in new Bell 407GXP helicopters, boosting power and fuel efficiency.

Deliveries of M250-C47B/8 engines for Bell 407GXP helicopters will include a factory installed Value Improvement Package (VIP) kit, which will increase “hot and high” power by up to 8 percent, while improving fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent. The package will also reduce Direct Operating Costs and expand the mission range and payload capability.

The Rolls-Royce VIP kit has been delivered to operators as an upgrade since 2012. Customers who have installed the kit say it has substantially improved ‘hot and high’ performance. The new 10-year agreement with Bell represents the first time the VIP kit will be factory installed in new civil engine deliveries.

Jason Propes, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President, Helicopters, said, “Rolls-Royce continually focuses on innovation and adding value for our customers. The new M250-C47B/8 engines will add power and reduce fuel costs. We look forward to working with Bell Helicopter on 407GXP improvements and continuing to enhance capabilities while cutting operator costs.”

Van Wilson, Bell Helicopter, Program Director of the Bell GXP, said, “It’s great to continue this relationship with Rolls-Royce and continually improve on the capabilities of the 407 helicopter.”

Wilson noted that Bell 407 helicopters have been equipped with a Rolls-Royce engine for more than 19 years and the fleet has successfully accumulated millions of flight hours.

Rolls-Royce has been a supplier to Bell Helicopter for decades, leading the marketplace in delivering thousands of light helicopters across a wide variety of operational uses. Overall, the Rolls-Royce M250 engine line has topped 235 Million flight hours in more than 100 types of aircraft. About 15,000 M250s are in service around the world.