JSfirm Member Press: News from Bell

In addition to beginning work in March on the final lot of aircraft in the OH-58D Safety Enhancement Program (SEP), Bell Helicopter is also supporting the Army’s Kiowa Warrior program with crash damage repairs and a C-to-D cabin conversion build line. In March the Army awarded Bell a contract to modify the final 30 OH-58D aircraft scheduled to enter the Kiowa Warrior SEP program. Work on the first aircraft in Lot 13 has already begun at Bell Helicopter’s facility in Fort Worth, and the final aircraft are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. As they move through Bell’s SEP Line, the Kiowa Warriors are being upgraded with an improved engine, improved computer control system and related new wiring harnesses. The improvements are part of a series of safety and performance modifications the Army has implemented to keep the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter safe and mission effective throughout its lifespan. When Lot 13 is complete, a total of 371 Kiowa Warriors will have been modified to the SEP configuration. Bell is also supporting the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) with crash damage repairs on OH-58D aircraft. Three cabins are currently at Bell for repairs. As work on each cabin is completed, it will be shipped to an AMCOM Aviation Field Maintenance Directorate site for installation of dynamic components. In April 2009 the Army exercised a contract option to have Bell convert one OH-58A cabin into a new OH-58D cabin and complete the non-recurring engineering effort required to establish a cabin build line. Modification work on the first A cabin has begun. The completed D cabin is scheduled for delivery to CCAD next year. A cabin build line will enable the Army to acquire new OH-58D cabins from Bell to replace Kiowa Warrior aircraft whose cabins have been damaged beyond repair. The US Army fleet of Kiowa helicopters has accumulated more than 600,000 combat flight hours and nearly 2 million total flight hours. Despite unusually high usage rates and daily combat missions in a harsh operating environment, the OH-58D continues to maintain the highest OPTEMPO and highest readiness rates of any Army aircraft in theater. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bell Helicopter today announced the appointment of Robert T. Hastings, Jr., as senior vice president of communications. “Bob brings an extensive background in communications leadership, both in the military and in industry,” said Bell President and CEO John L. Garrison. “That vast experience, coupled with his aviation background, makes him a key addition to Bell’s executive leadership team.” Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Hastings will report to Garrison and will be responsible for leading Bell’s communications function. He will manage and integrate all elements of the company‘s internal, external and marketing communications to tell the Bell story to employees, customers, media, elected officials and community members – helping to drive business results. He joins Bell from Northrop Grumman, where he served as vice president of communications for Northrop Grumman‘s Information Systems sector. Before joining Northrop Grumman, Hastings served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. As the Defense Department’s senior public affairs official and principal spokesman, he was the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and senior Defense and Administration officials for worldwide strategic communication, public information, internal information, and community relations, leading a worldwide public affairs community of some 3,800 military and civilian personnel. Prior to joining the Defense Department, Hastings served for 10 years as vice president of communications for BAE Systems, Inc., where he directed comprehensive strategic communications and public affairs programs. Before joining BAE, he served as a U.S. Army officer with more than 20 years experience as a Master Army Aviator and public affairs officer. Hastings is a licensed commercial helicopter pilot with a broad range of experience and ratings in both military and civilian aircraft. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in government and political science from the University of Maryland and has completed executive studies at the Wharton School of Business and the University of Michigan. About Bell Helicopter Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell‘s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. About Textron 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 Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems.