Bell is to submit a proposal based on an instrument flight rules (IFR)-capable version of its 505 Jet Ranger X as a potential next generation training aircraft for the U.S. Army.
The Army issued a request for information (RFI) for what it is calling “Flight School Next” in October 2024, asking industry how it could fundamentally transform its flight school model.
Currently, Army pilots receive their initial rotary-wing training in the Airbus LUH-72A Lakota. The twin-engine type became the service’s primary helicopter trainer in 2020 following the retirement of the Bell TH-67.
However, the Army is now considering replacing the Lakota for the role, with the RFI noting that a replacement should reduce cost and increase efficiency.
During a media briefing at Verticon in Dallas, Texas, Carl Coffman, VP of military sales and strategy at Bell, said the 505 would provide a high operational readiness rate, offering more sustainability and durability that the existing training fleet.
“Bell is working to provide the Army an efficient, effective flight training model that capitalizes on advanced learning techniques, simulations and a purpose-built 505 military trainer,” said Carl Coffman, VP of military sales and strategy at Bell. “An aircraft that fosters the development of proficient stick and rudder — or, in our case, tail rotor — skills, to include non-standard and emergency maneuvers, all about familiarizing new aviators with advanced cockpits.”
He said the company is working on IFR certification for 505 currently, and when achieved, it will provide “the best trainer aircraft on the market.”
“Once we’re complete with IFR cert, now we’re going to take this thing to the next level of military training,” said Coffman. “It’s going to be a much more capable aircraft.”
He said the 505 would allow the Army to get back to training “the basics of flying.”
“There has been a period of history where we have not executed training in a lot of non-standard maneuvers and emergency procedures, which I think is critical and the Army looking for,” said Coffman. “We’re very in touch with the Army — where the Army’s headed — and I think we can see something very different than the last 60 years of military training.”
However, Bell’s proposal won’t be with a one-to-one replacement rate.
“I think the reason that they are flying the current fleet numbers of aircraft they are now is because they have an operational readiness challenge,” said Coffman. “We think we can do it with a few less aircraft.”
When asked whether Bell would also partner on the business model to provide the training, Coffman said it was “to be determined.”
“There’s a bit of a competitive edge discussion there,” he said. “But we have a general idea and we think we’re in a good position.”
In terms of a timeline, Coffman said a request for proposals could be issued within the next few weeks.
“The Army wants to do it sooner rather than later,” he said.
The 505 is currently flying in a military training role in South Korea, Iraq and Jordan.
