Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems, both businesses of Textron [TXT], plan their first appearance with products for European customers at NATO Days, Sept. 20-21 in the Czech Republic.
The goal of NATO Days is to present a wide spectrum of the resources and the capabilities of the Czech Republic and its allies in the field of security provision to the general public.
The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command will feature the Bell-Boeing [BA] V-22 Osprey in static and dynamic display. This follows the recent demonstration at the NATO Summit and an announcement the aircraft will be used in upcoming multinational exercises across the alliance.
New capabilities will be on display in the Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y, currently in operation with the U.S. Marine Corps.
“In the past few years, we have had great success in Europe and have made significant investments to modernize our entire product line to best meet the mission needs of our customers throughout the world,” said Patrick Moulay, vice president of European Sales for Bell Helicopter. “Attending the largest air, army and security show in Central Europe provides the opportunity to highlight how Bell Helicopter’s commercial and military aircraft are currently delivering for our global customers and demonstrate how these enhanced capabilities could strengthen the NATO Alliance.”
In addition, Bell will display the Bell 429, which features a spacious cabin and state-of-the-art glass cockpit. It will be configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) missions.
Textron Systems will showcase the company’s unmanned platforms, including the Shadow® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System and the Aerosonde® Small Unmanned Aircraft System. The Shadow system has amassed nearly one million flight hours, more than 90 percent of which were during combat operations for customers including the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and Australian Defense Force.
The Aerosonde system is also deployed internationally for several U.S. Department of Defense customers, with Textron Systems’ operators and maintainers in the field delivering thousands of mission hours monthly under an innovative fee-for-service business model.
The unmanned platforms are supported by a range of interoperable, configurable Ground Control Station technologies, as well as Textron Systems’ family of remote products, which deliver critical data for informed decision-making across the battlespace.
“Our unmanned systems and ground control technologies are mission-proven and trusted by our customers for their capability and performance,” said Vice President, International Business Development Ryan Hazlett. “Well-utilized within Eastern Europe and well-suited for the unique terrain, our systems can support a variety of tactical and civil mission sets for customers in the region.”