Agreements ensure increased Canadian content and value for the RCAF

Mirabel (Québec), April 26, 2023 – Bell Textron Canada Limited, a Textron Inc. subsidiary (NYSE: TXT), is pleased to announce that it awarded subcontracts to Alpine Aerotech LP and Heli-One Canada ULC to support the Canadian Armed Forces in the modernization of its CH-146 Griffon aircraft fleet.

As the original manufacturer and intellectual property owner of the CH-146 Griffon helicopters, Bell was awarded the contract to extend the life of the 85-helicopter fleet in May 2022 by Public Services and Procurement Canada.  As part of the contract, Bell will modify the first nine aircraft. Subsequent aircraft will be modified by the subcontractors who have been rigorously selected through a fair, open and transparent competition.

“I am pleased to announce the award of two important subcontracts to Alpine Aerotech and Heli-One. These contracts will support job creation in Canada and demonstrate once again the importance and quality of our Canadian companies in the aerospace sector. We are proud to join forces with these dedicated and established rotorcraft support entities driven by excellence to support the Canadian Armed Forces and our men and women in uniform throughout the Griffon missions here and abroad,” said Steeve Lavoie, president of Bell Textron Canada.

“On behalf of the entire Alpine Aerotech team, we are extremely pleased to be continuing our longstanding relationship to support both Bell and the Department of National Defense with the upcoming CH146 Griffon Mk II (GLLE) implementation. We wish to congratulate Heli-One as being also selected to support the implementation and look forward to working together to facilitate a successful program for all stakeholders,” declared Jeff Denomme, president of Alpine Aerotech.

“Heli-One is thrilled to be selected by Bell as a supplier for the Griffon Life Limited Extension (GLLE) modification embodiments. The CH-146 Griffon is used as a multi-purpose utility helicopter by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is essential to operations both at home and overseas. We are extremely excited for the opportunity to work with Bell to upgrade the CH-146 Griffon and keep the fleet flying well into the future,” states Carolyn Forsyth, general manager – sales, Commercial and Customer Support at Heli-One.

For almost four decades, Bell Textron Canada has been designing, developing, assembling, delivering and sustaining state-of-the-art commercial helicopters in Mirabel to provide vertical take-off solutions to operators, businesses and government agencies around the world, building a remarkable legacy as Canada’s helicopter company. To learn more about Bell Textron Canada, visit the company’s web page at bell.co/ca

ABOUT BELL

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 80 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were aboard NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of on-demand mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

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, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

MIRABEL, QC, Nov. 15, 2021 /CNW/ – Today, Bell Textron Canada, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and the Canadian Coast Guard announced the delivery of a new Bell 429 helicopter to the Coast Guard at Bell’s Mirabel facility. The delivery, which occurred on September 15, marks an important milestone for both Bell Textron Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard. For Bell, it represents the 400^th Bell 429 helicopter delivered, and for the Coast Guard, the completion of its light helicopter renewal program launched in 2014.

Since 2014, the Canadian Coast Guard and Bell Textron Canada have had a strong relationship that has strengthened during the renewal of the Coast Guard’s fleet of light and medium helicopters, comprised of seven Bell 412EPI and 16 Bell 429 helicopters. These helicopters provide support to ships engaged in critical maritime work including Aids to navigation, environmental response, icebreaking operations, and in support of search and rescue operations. The Canadian Coast Guard helps keep Canada’s waters safe, clean, and more accessible to keep the Canadian economy moving.

For 35 years, Bell Textron Canada has designed, developed, assembled, and delivered leading-edge commercial helicopters in Mirabel to provide vertical lift solutions for operators, businesses, and government agencies all over the world – building a remarkable legacy as Canada’s helicopter company. Certified in 2009, the Bell 429 is the result of close collaboration with Government of Canada as well as provincial governments.

Today’s announcement represents the culmination of seven years of ensuring the Coast Guard has the equipment it needs. The building of the Coast Guard’s helicopter fleet in Canada by Bell Textron Canada contributed to growing Canada’s economy and ensuring good, well-paying jobs were available to Canadians. The work accomplished will ensure that Canadians are well-served by the Coast Guard in the years to come.

Quotes
“With this procurement, our Canadian Coast Guard’s light helicopter fleet is fully renewed. This is so important because a strong, well-equipped Coast Guard is one of the best ways to save lives on the water and protect our marine environment.”

The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard

“We are proud to contribute to the accessibility, sustainability, and security of our Canadian waters. Through our proven expertise and a well-established Canadian support network, Bell continues to serve citizens around the world. Our global workforce and Canadian industrial base celebrates together with the Canadian Coast Guard,  and Bell 429 operators across the globe. With this aircraft, CCG is now the largest Bell 429 operator.”

Steeve Lavoie, president, Bell Textron Canada

“Through the Canadian Coast Guard’s Fleet Renewal Plan, we’re ensuring our members have the best available equipment with which to do their jobs. The Coast Guard’s fleet of Bell 412 and 429 helicopters and the pilots play an important role in ensuring that Coast Guard services are available to Canadians wherever they may be.”

Mario Pelletier, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

• Coast Guard helicopters take part in a wide variety of operations such as monitoring oil spills and ice conditions. Helicopters are also used to maintain and construct navigational aids and telecommunications equipment, transferring personnel and cargo between ship and shore, as well as to provide support to scientific missions.
  
• The Bell 429 was developed by Bell working closely with Federal and Provincial governments and was developed, built, tested, and certified in Canada by Canadians.
  
• In 2014-2015, Bell and Bell Textron Canada were awarded contracts by the Government of Canada to deliver a fleet of 23 state-of-the-art helicopters to the Canadian Coast Guard. The value of the contract is over $338 million dollars.
  
• Every year, the Canadian Coast Guard’s 16 Bell 429 helicopters fly for over 5500 hours. Globally, the Bell 429 has thus far achieved 523,000 operating hours.

Associated Links

• Canadian Coast Guard Helicopters
• Bell Textron Canada

Mirabel, Canada (October 6, 2021) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service in its Mirabel, Canada facility.

The increasing demand for customer support and services in North America prompted Bell to provide MRO services directly to all operators of Bell aircraft in Canada. The Mirabel facility provides these services to a range of aircraft, from the Bell 206 – Bell’s first commercial aircraft produced in country – to the commercial aircraft currently being produced .

“We are proud to offer this new capability in our Mirabel facility for our customers,” said Steeve Lavoie, president of Bell Textron Canada Ltd. “We have been in Mirabel for 35 years, conducting composite, final assembly, completion and paint capabilities in our facility, along with technical and product support engineering on site. As the demand for maintenance increased, it became clear that we had the opportunity to enhance support for our customers.”

Since entering the Canadian market in 1986, Bell has become a key player in the Canadian helicopter market, supporting the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Sûreté du Québec and private owners in North America. Bell has produced more than 5,600 commercial aircraft, which are operating around the world.

“Bell is known worldwide for its industry-leading support and services. Our customers are our priority, and we will continue to listen and focus on providing them with an excellent experience throughout the lifetime of their aircraft, right here in Canada,” said Chad Nimrick, director, Support and Services at Bell.

To read more about Bell’s Service Center in Canada, visit Bell’s webpage.