Bell Helicopter said Tuesday that AgustaWestland agreed to buy Bell’s ownership stake in the BA609, a civilian tiltrotor.
AgustaWestland is Bell’s partner in the BA609. Bell, making the announcement at the Paris Air Show, said it will remain “the key supplier of engineering services and key components” to the BA609.“This decision will free up research and development resources allowing Bell Helicopter to increase our investment in the revolutionary V-22, to develop the next-generation tiltrotor technologies for U.S. Department of Defense programs and other applications, as well as increase our investment in our innovative commercial product line,” said John Garrison, Bell CEO.Bell said it plans to continue to increase research and development over the next five years for its commercial product line and for next-generation tiltrotor technologies. Bell said the agreement is subject to regulatory approval.Bill Schroeder, a Bell spokesman, said the terms were undisclosed."They're going to take it over and do what they think is best for it," Schroeder said.Scott Nishimura, (817) 390-7808
