Bell Helicopters Maintenance Services for Montenegro Armed Forces
Bell Textron Canada has secured a significant contract to deliver maintenance and repair services for the Montenegro Armed Forces’ Bell 505 and 412 helicopters. This agreement is pivotal in ensuring the “reliability and longevity” of the aircraft that Montenegro acquired between 2018 and 2020. Currently, the Montenegrin fleet comprises two Bell 505 helicopters and two Bell 412 helicopters, all of which are actively used for aircrew training, rapid response missions, public safety, and civil institutional support.
Chris Schaefer, Vice President of Bell Textron Global Customer Solutions, expressed his pride in supporting the Montenegro Ministry of Defense. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the operational efficiency of the Bell 505 and 412 fleet, which was originally manufactured at Bell’s Commercial Centre of Excellence in Mirabel. Schaefer also acknowledged the strong partnership with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, which has facilitated comprehensive lifecycle support from manufacturing through to after-sales service at their Europe Service Center in Prague.
Features of Bell’s 505 and 412 Helicopters
The Bell 505 helicopter is a versatile rotorcraft, measuring 43 feet (13 meters) in length with a rotor diameter of 37 feet (11 meters). It has a seating capacity for four individuals and can carry an impressive internal payload of up to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms) or an external payload of 2,200 pounds (998 kilograms). Powered by a 505-horsepower Safran Arrius engine, the 505 can reach a maximum speed of 125 knots (144 miles/231 kilometers per hour), operate at altitudes of up to 18,600 feet (5,669 meters), and has a range of 380 nautical miles (437 miles/704 kilometers).
In contrast, the Bell 412 is a larger helicopter, measuring 56 feet (17 meters) in length and featuring a rotor diameter of 46 feet (14 meters). This model can accommodate up to 13 passengers and boasts an external payload capacity of 6,600 pounds (2,994 kilograms). It is powered by a robust 1,250-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada engine along with a backup 900-horsepower emergency engine. The Bell 412 achieves speeds of up to 140 knots (161 miles/259 kilometers per hour), has a service ceiling of 20,000 feet (6,096 meters), and a notable range of 530 nautical miles (610 miles/982 kilometers).
