Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Bell will offer militarized versions of all its civil aircraft models beginning with the 407GXi. Bell made the announcement this week at this year’s Army Aviation Association of America Mission Solutions Summit, where the manufacturer&nbsp;publicly unveiled the 407M—part of its&nbsp;Special Mission Aircraft initiative to offer multi-mission civil helicopters modified for military use.&nbsp;
These aircraft are tailored to the needs of the export market and will gain an "M" suffix after their model number starting with the 407 and expanding to Bell’s other civil models, including the 412, 429, and 505. They can be fitted with a range of armaments and equipment to carry out armed reconnaissance, special operations, light-attack, anti-piracy, medical evacuation, combat search and rescue, and humanitarian aid disaster relief missions. Various levels of capability are available through the U.S. government’s foreign military sales program or direct commercial sales, depending on country requirements, Bell indicated.
"Many of the military operating environments around the world require an option in-between pure military and commercial platforms, and special mission aircraft can support that flexibility," said Brian Vollmer, Bell special mission aircraft program manager. "When you look at the market of fielded systems and how current sanctions may limit parts availability, there is a need for affected countries to act quickly to avoid a capability gap when parts are no longer available for their existing platforms.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Bell Offering Militarized Variants of All Civil Models

Bell will offer militarized "special mission aircraft" versions of all its civil aircraft models tailored to the needs of the export market.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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