Bell Seals Transformative Deal with Equinor for 10 Cutting-Edge 525 Aircraft
Bell, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), has announced a confirmed purchase agreement with Equinor for the acquisition of 10 Bell 525 helicopters intended for North Sea offshore operations, with the first deliveries slated to commence in 2026.
The Bell 525 presents Equinor with exceptional technological advancements, enhancing helicopter safety, minimizing CO2 emissions, providing pilot assistance systems, maximizing passenger comfort, and reducing both internal and external noise levels.
“Our partnership with Equinor will elevate the benchmarks of innovation for oil and gas endeavors and North Sea operations,” stated Danny Maldonado, Chief Commercial Officer at Bell. “The Bell 525 technology marks a generational advancement and is set to transform offshore oil and gas operations by offering improved safety features, reliability, and streamlined operations.”
The Norwegian Aviation and Defense Group, representing Bell in Norway, take pride in having facilitated this milestone for the Bell 525, now positioned as the preferred platform for personnel transportation within the energy sector and Equinor.
“For over 30 years, Bell has supplied aircraft and dependable services to Norwegian operators, spanning both government and commercial sectors, and will persist in serving the Norwegian Continental Shelf and the Energy industry. We are eager to expand this collaboration with Equinor,” remarked Mr. Ole Petter Bakken, Chief Executive of the Norwegian Aviation and Defense Group.
The Bell 525 features advanced fly-by-wire flight controls, best-in-class drive system efficacy, and a comprehensive vehicle health monitoring system. The architecture of the 525 drive system is also groundbreaking; it eliminates high-speed drives from the main rotor gearbox and employs independent and redundant reduction and accessory drive gearboxes. Production of the Bell 525 is currently underway at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center, with offshore-configured models expected to roll out in 2024.
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