Bell 210 Increases Performance, Decreases DOC
Bell Helicopter Chief
Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh has announced that Bell will
develop and manufacture a fully certified Bell model 210 Medium
Utility Helicopter. The new aircraft will provide a significant
increase capability over comparative models at greatly reduced
direct operating costs.
In making the announcement Mr. Redenbaugh said, "The Bell 210 is
the perfect solution for the many agencies that use the UH-1H in
utility, Homeland Security law enforcement or firefighting
capacities. It combines great performance with an existing
logistical base, an unbeatable DOC and a tremendously low initial
acquisition cost. Add to that complete FAA certification and the
Bell 210 is truly the best total value proposition to be found in
the market today."
Much of the Bell 210 is based on the highly successful Huey II
program. Many of the modifications and upgrades that result in the
Bell 210 are the same that go into the Huey II. The success of the
Huey II program, with more than 100 conversions currently flying
worldwide, confirms the viability of the certified Bell 210 in the
US market. The primary differences between the Bell 210 and the
Huey II are the inclusion of different actuators, nose assembly and
a new electrical system and the receipt of FAA certification.
The Bell 210 has also attracted the attention of the U.S. Army.
There are many missions now supported by the US Army with aging
assets that are marked for reduction in the coming years that the
Bell 210 could more economically perform.
These Army Light Utility Helicopters will perform future utility
missions for non combat organizations (TDA), National Guard
utility, drug interdiction efforts (RAID), and Homeland Defense
(HLD) missions.
The Bell 210 is a civil certified version of the U.S. Army
UH-1H. Starting with a refurbished UH-1H fuselage, Bell Helicopter
adds dynamic components from the Bell 212 (main rotor hub and
blades, tail rotor, main and tail rotor support structure,
transmission, rotating controls, and tail boom), and an FAA
certified Honeywell T5317 engine providing a zero-time FAA
certified single engine medium utility helicopter.
Cost of the Bell 210 will be approximately $3 million. A
comparable Huey-sized off the shelf commercial aircraft would cost
approximately $5 million. The Bell 210 will have a useful load that
is 640 lbs higher than the UH-1H, 400 shaft horsepower increased
horsepower available, and the DOC will be about $530 an hour,
considerably less than other aircraft in the same class. Plans call
for certification to be complete in mid 2005.