Textron‘s (NYSE: TXT) Bell subsidiary has secured Federal Aviation Administration certification under instrument flight rules for single-engine aircraft being offered to the U.S. Navy. Bell said Thursday its 407GXi platform received the IFR Supplemental Type Certificate, which is one of the requirements in the Navy Advanced Helicopter Training System program.
The manufacturer proposed capability, transition and sustainment strategies as part of its bid to replace the service branch’s TH-57 Sea Ranger trainer. According to Bell, it will establish a final assembly line in Ozark, Ala., if the Navy selects the replacement offering.
The 407GXi helicopter featured the Garmin G1000H NXi flight deck designed to support delivery of information to increase situational awareness and reduce pilot workload. Bell noted its 407 airframe served as basis for the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter the service branch procured from Northrop Grumman.
