Bell Sells Its AB139 Helicopter Stake to AugustaWestland

AB139(click to view full) Textron’s Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, TX, USA and Finmeccanica subsidiary AgustaWestland of Cascina Costa, Italy announced a realignment of their joint venture Bell Agusta Aerospace Company LLC (BAAC). Bell is selling its 25% interest in the AB139 medium twin helicopter program to AgustaWestland and granting them 100% ownership of all aspects of the AB139 program going forward, in return for undisclosed payments. The AB139 was recently proposed for the US Army’s $2+ billion Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) competition, where it is going head to head with the Bell 412EP, MDHI Explorer 902, and EADS Eurocopter EC145. BA609 civil tilt-rotor(click to view full) In addition, the realignment allows AgustaWestland to increase its share in the V-22 Osprey-derived BA609 civil tilt-rotor aircraft. That program will remain within BAAC, with AgustaWestland able to increase its current 25% to a maximum of 40% by increasing its investments during the development phase. The two companies also remain partnered on other programs, including a licensed version of the Bell 412 and the US101 Presidential helicopter program. See full corporate release.