Bell Helicopter to display latest commercial and military products at JA2016

Bell Helicopter announced its participation at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2016 (JA2016) held October 12 through October 15 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Leadership from Bell Helicopter, Textron Aviation and Textron Systems will be available in booth #W3-018 to discuss their innovative product lines, customizable aircraft offerings, as well as enhanced customer support in the region and much more.

Bell Helicopter will feature the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, as well as the Bell Boeing V-22 and Bell V-280 models.

The Bell 505 made its official debut in Japan in June 2016, marking the start of the demonstration tour throughout the country. Throughout the globe, and including Japan, customers have signed 380 letters of intent (LOI) for the Bell 505. The aircraft is priced to compete and is designed to offer the best combination of value, performance and technology available on the market and has received considerable interest from training schools and private operators.

“Bell Helicopter aircraft perform in every mission segment in Japan, and customers continue to have strong interest in our modern and innovative product line,” said Richard Thornley, Bell Helicopter’s managing director of Japan. “Bell Helicopter has seen a lot of success in Japan since we entered the market more than 60 years ago, and the country remains an important market for Bell Helicopter; we are honored to be serving our customers throughout the country.”

Bell Helicopter’s most recent notable milestones in Japan, include the selection of the Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and Bell Helicopter team to co-develop and deliver a replacement for the Ground Self-Defense Force’s fleet of UH-1J aircraft based on the Bell 412EPI design. Additionally, Bell Helicopter and Boeing were awarded a contract for five V-22s, making Japan the first international customer for the V-22 tiltrotor. 

“As JA2016 only comes around every four years, this show provides a unique and timely opportunity for Bell Helicopter to engage directly with our customers of the latest activities and technologies in the commercial and defense products from Bell Helicopter and for our leaders to hear the voices of decision makers of companies and government policy makers, so we can better meet their needs in the future,” added Thornley. “We are also proud to demonstrate how our helicopters and vertical lift platforms, such as the V-22, can contribute to society with a unique capability to provide rescue and relief following natural disasters.”

Bell Helicopter Co., Ltd. was established in Japan in January 2014 for the primary purpose of building upon long-term customer and partner relationships to the benefit of Japan’s rotorcraft market. Bell Helicopter’s office in Tokyo serves as a hub for sales, marketing, and aftermarket service efforts. Customers in Japan are also supported by authorized Customer Service Facilities Fuji Heavy Industries, Nakanihon Air Service Co., Ltd. and Aero Asahi. Bell Helicopter is committed to having resources where customers operate to speed up delivery of service and support and give customers access to service professionals that are easy to reach, know the operating environment and understand their needs.