Bell Helicopter unveils Bell 407AH helicopter at IACP 2013

Bell Helicopter has unveiled a new qualified armed helicopter, known as Bell 407AH, at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2013 annual conference and exposition being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, US.

The company is also showcasing law enforcement aircraft, the Bell 429 and Bell 407GX, as well as the new commercial aircraft, the Bell SLS.

Bell Helicopter sales and marketing executive vice president Danny Maldonado said the IACP enables the company to meet with airborne law enforcement operators and discuss their current and future needs.

"Meeting our customers’ requirements is paramount to our mutual success as we continue to invest in upgrades to our current fleet and develop new aircraft," Maldonado added.

The 407AH is the Bell Helicopter’s first commercially qualified, armed helicopter, configurable to support a wide range of missions.
Featuring aircraft survivability equipment, the helicopter features configurable for multiple weapons and surveillance packages including Mini-guns, rocket pods, FLIR, and NVG capabilities.

Additional features of the helicopter include rupture resistant fuel system, engine exceedence monitoring and a collective mounted throttle that keeps power at the pilot’s fingertips.

Capable of providing exceptional speed, range, hover performance and enhanced safety margins, the Bell 429 features fully-integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system and WAAS navigation and IFR capability.

The Bell 407GX helicopter has been designed based on the Bell 407 platform and features the Garmin G1000H flight deck, providing critical flight information for improved situational awareness and increased safety.

Image: A Bell 407 helicopter conducting mission. Photo: Courtesy of Gerry Metzler.