Alexa Rexroth

Bell has awarded PPG (N6100) with a contract to produce heated pilot and copilot windshields for the Bell 525 Relentless. The composite windshields feature scratch-resistant coating and are available for customer specification on helicopters operating in mountainous and offshore environments.
“We have the transparency-forming expertise to produce the windshield’s deep, complex, and compound vertical bend,” said Steve Nyman, PPG's segment manager for general aviation transparencies. The front-facing portion of the windshield will be contoured to wrap around to the side at around 100 degrees, allowing exceptional clarity for both the pilot and copilot.
With an outboard ply of stretched acrylic and an inboard strength enhancing polycarbonate ply, the windshields will measure approximately 50 inches by 60 inches. The composite design meets Bell’s bird-strike requirement to withstand the impact of a 2.2-pound bird at 185 knots.
“PPG’s ability to produce heated windshields with superior optics was key to the company being awarded the contract,” said Bell design principal Howie Mosier.
The windshields will be fabricated at PPG’s Sylmar, California plant, and the PPG Aircon heating system will be supplied by its Huntsville, Alabama facility.

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