AgustaWestland2003-05-15 16:14:28
Bell Helicopter selected as Airframe Manufacturer for US101 Production
Washington, DC, May 15, 2003 -AgustaWestland announced today that it has reached agreement with Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company, of Fort Worth, Texas to form a Joint Venture company to manufacture the US101 helicopter in America
The Joint Venture company will act as a sub-contractor to Lockheed Martin who as Prime Contractor and systems integrator for the US101 have overall responsibility for the programme and delivery of the US101 helicopter to the customer.
The US101 is the American version of AgustaWestland's EH101 helicopter widely considered to be the most advanced medium lift helicopter in production today. With over 36,000 hours of accumulated flight time, the EH101 has been selected by five NATO countries and Japan for 21st century helicopter requirements. Variants are in service in the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan, performing a variety of missions, from search and rescue to maritime surveillance, battlefield support, law enforcement and civil operations.
UK Royal Navy Merlin MK1 variants were deployed in the Gulf in support of Coalition forces, and RAF Merlin MK3 helicopters were recently deployed to Bosnia for peacekeeping roles.
The US101 will be built in America to fulfil the US Government's 21st century helicopter requirements of the United States Air Force and Coast Guard in their search and rescue missions, and the Marine Corps as an executive transportation replacement for the 30+ year-old Marine One helicopter.
Stephen C. Moss, President of AgustaWestland Inc. referred to the selection of Bell, as the "perfect partner to join Team US101. It will be great to have the prestige and professionalism of the Bell team to build this helicopter in the US.�
"The US101 is a spacious helicopter that can be configured for whatever mission is required - from submarine surveillance, to executive transport,� said Moss. "It is a very versatile helicopter with an excellent safety record and can carry 30+ combat troops quickly over long distances.�
The selection follows the naming of Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor and systems integrator for US101 last year. Lockheed Martin, Bell and dozens of subcontractors will provide significant employment throughout the United States. The US101 will contain over 65% American content. The basic aircraft will be manufactured by the JV company with mission customization, systems integration, and final aircraft delivery being accomplished at Lockheed Martin's Owego, NY facility.
"We are delighted to add Bell Helicopter to Team US101�, said Frank Meyer, President of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. "With the addition of Bell, the US101 aircraft is ready to serve America's heroes.�
John Murphey, Bell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said he was very proud to be joining this team and being able to participate with AgustaWestland and Lockheed Martin in meeting our US Government customers' requirements - he hailed AgustaWestland as "an innovative aircraft company that has been a great partner with Bell for almost 50 years.�
Bell and Agusta currently are partners in building the AB139, a new light medium twin-engine helicopter, and the BA609, the world's first civil tilt rotor. "When the US government requires a modern medium lift helicopter we will be positioned to immediately respond to their requirements�, he said.
An EH101 Merlin Mk3, deployed from the UK Royal Air Force, is currently in the USA to provide orientation flights for members of congress, the military and the media and will be on static display at the Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB, May 17-18, and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Patuxent River, MD, and Quantico Marine Base, VA.
Washington, DC, May 15, 2003 -AgustaWestland announced today that it has reached agreement with Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company, of Fort Worth, Texas to form a Joint Venture company to manufacture the US101 helicopter in America
The Joint Venture company will act as a sub-contractor to Lockheed Martin who as Prime Contractor and systems integrator for the US101 have overall responsibility for the programme and delivery of the US101 helicopter to the customer.
The US101 is the American version of AgustaWestland's EH101 helicopter widely considered to be the most advanced medium lift helicopter in production today. With over 36,000 hours of accumulated flight time, the EH101 has been selected by five NATO countries and Japan for 21st century helicopter requirements. Variants are in service in the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan, performing a variety of missions, from search and rescue to maritime surveillance, battlefield support, law enforcement and civil operations.
UK Royal Navy Merlin MK1 variants were deployed in the Gulf in support of Coalition forces, and RAF Merlin MK3 helicopters were recently deployed to Bosnia for peacekeeping roles.
The US101 will be built in America to fulfil the US Government's 21st century helicopter requirements of the United States Air Force and Coast Guard in their search and rescue missions, and the Marine Corps as an executive transportation replacement for the 30+ year-old Marine One helicopter.
Stephen C. Moss, President of AgustaWestland Inc. referred to the selection of Bell, as the "perfect partner to join Team US101. It will be great to have the prestige and professionalism of the Bell team to build this helicopter in the US.�
"The US101 is a spacious helicopter that can be configured for whatever mission is required - from submarine surveillance, to executive transport,� said Moss. "It is a very versatile helicopter with an excellent safety record and can carry 30+ combat troops quickly over long distances.�
The selection follows the naming of Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor and systems integrator for US101 last year. Lockheed Martin, Bell and dozens of subcontractors will provide significant employment throughout the United States. The US101 will contain over 65% American content. The basic aircraft will be manufactured by the JV company with mission customization, systems integration, and final aircraft delivery being accomplished at Lockheed Martin's Owego, NY facility.
"We are delighted to add Bell Helicopter to Team US101�, said Frank Meyer, President of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. "With the addition of Bell, the US101 aircraft is ready to serve America's heroes.�
John Murphey, Bell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said he was very proud to be joining this team and being able to participate with AgustaWestland and Lockheed Martin in meeting our US Government customers' requirements - he hailed AgustaWestland as "an innovative aircraft company that has been a great partner with Bell for almost 50 years.�
Bell and Agusta currently are partners in building the AB139, a new light medium twin-engine helicopter, and the BA609, the world's first civil tilt rotor. "When the US government requires a modern medium lift helicopter we will be positioned to immediately respond to their requirements�, he said.
An EH101 Merlin Mk3, deployed from the UK Royal Air Force, is currently in the USA to provide orientation flights for members of congress, the military and the media and will be on static display at the Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB, May 17-18, and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Patuxent River, MD, and Quantico Marine Base, VA.
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