Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the sale and delivery of 16 new Bell 407GXs to BBM Inc. of Reno, Nevada. The aircraft will be operated in the Middle East, and configured to suit a changing variety of urgent mission profiles, ranging from casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) to reconnaissance.

The aircraft were presented to Fred Hees, CEO of BBM Inc. in a formal signing ceremony at International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX).

“With this agreement, BBM Inc. is able to spearhead efforts to support a wide variety of mission profiles,” said Hees. “BBM Inc. is honored, through this purchase of a Bell 407GX aircraft, to be able to support our customers’ safety and security needs in the region.”

“The Bell 407GX aircraft is an ideal solution for the extreme operating environments and demanding mission profiles presented before us,” said Steve Suttles, vice president and managing director of sales in the Middle East and Africa. “We are delighted BBM Inc. has selected these aircraft to make a positive impact on the Middle East and anticipate many more entering the region.”

The Bell 407GX delivers power and speed with a smooth, quiet ride and a spacious cabin that accommodates six passengers. The aircraft also features the fully-integrated Garmin G1000H™ flight deck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and increased safety. The Bell 407GX flight deck’s high resolution LCD screens host primary flight and multi-function display information, including Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System, Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology™, Traffic Information Systems and more. The Bell 407GX also features a tail rotor camera, allowing the pilot a clear view of the tail during take-offs and landings.

“We chose the Bell 407GX because of its advanced features, unprecedented reliability and performance capabilities in the extreme operating conditions of the Middle East.” Added Hees.  “Bell helicopters have a proven performance track on all continents of the world and have been noted as some of the longest-serving workhorses of the industry. Generations have grown to depend on Bell to deliver them what they need most in places where other aircraft could not.”

[Editor note – Bell has overlooked mentioning that these sixteen helicopters are in Iraq.  However, as HeliHub.com tracks FAA register changes every week, it is clear when looking at the report for week to 1st February 2015, that sixteen Bell 407s were cancelled from the FAA register to Iraq.  The serial numbers are 54505, 54506, 54509, 54510, 54512, 54513, 54517, 54520, 54529, 54530, 54532, 54533, 54534, 54535, 54537 and 54538]

About Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

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 Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit www.textron.com.