Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today an agreement with Air Methods for the supply of 20 Bell 407GX aircraft. Air Methods will dedicate the helicopters to air medical transport for critically ill and injured patients throughout the United States.

“Air Methods’ order for 20 new Bell 407GXs is part of our commitment to having the most modern fleet in the helicopter emergency medical services industry and to support future growth opportunities,” said Archie Gray, senior vice president, Air Methods Aviation Services. “The Bell 407 airframe strikes a good balance between speed, performance and operating costs.”

Air Methods, established in 1980, is one of the most experienced air medical operators in the industry. The company began with a single Bell 206 helicopter in Englewood, Colorado and has since grown to serve 48 states. Air Methods provides air medical transportation for hospitals and communities nationwide and operates eight maintenance centers.

“We have over 30 years of history with Air Methods and we are honored they continue to place their trust in Bell helicopters to perform their life-saving missions,” said Danny Maldonado, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at Bell Helicopter. “Integrating reliability, speed, performance and advanced technology, the Bell 407GX is unlike anything else on the market today. Its next-generation cockpit and rugged airframe has made it the first choice for air medical transport missions.”

Air Methods’ Bell 407GX aircraft will be equipped with United Rotorcraft emergency medical services interior, designed with air critical care operators in mind. The interior can accommodate a single patient or specialty transport, and comes standard with the Articulating Loading System for easy patient-loading. The United Rotorcraft interior also provides integrated medical systems such as medical oxygen, suction, air, storage and electrical power.

Photo: Archie Gray (left), senior vice president of Air Methods and Danny Maldonado (right), executive vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Bell Helicopter, sign contract for 20 Bell 407GX aircraft.