LONDON – In a joint ceremony to mark the 101st anniversary of the Guatemalan Air Force, Bell Textron Inc. delivered two SUBARU BELL 412EPX aircraft during an acceptance ceremony at La Aurora International Airport.
The aircraft are part of an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract signed between Bell and the U.S. Army Multinational Aviation Special Programs Office (MASPO) earlier this year.
“We are honored to bring the most modern version of the Bell 412 to Guatemala,” said Carl Coffman, Bell vice president, Advanced Vertical Lift Systems sales and strategy.
“Turnaround from signature to delivery is a statement to the men and women supporting this aircraft at every level of the business, and a testament to the efficiency of the IDIQ contract between Bell and MASPO.”
Multi-mission capability
Multi-mission capabilities make the SUBARU BELL 412EPX a popular choice for customers with more than 54 percent of the Bell 412 global fleet deployed in military and para-public missions worldwide.
The model is also a popular choice for law enforcement and emergency response operations. In August this year, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department acquired a 412EPX for multi-role operations. It became the fourth Bell helicopter on line with the Department.
The aircraft will be put into service in general law enforcement support, in an aviation unit that covers personnel/cargo transport, airborne photography, search and rescue operations, wildland fire suppression and emergency medical transport roles.
In July, the New York Police Department Aviation Unit took possession of two 412EPXs. The two aircraft joined eight other Bell aircraft on the NYPD rotorcraft fleet and were configured for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.
Guatemalan Air Force fleet
The Guatemalan Air Force currently operates versions of the Bell 206, 212, 407, 412 and UH-1. The SUBARU BELL 412EPX is the latest version of the 412 aircraft, whose legacy spans more than 6.5 million flight hours.
“We are excited to introduce the SUBARU BELL 412EPX into the Guatemalan Air Force,” said Major General Henry Yovani Reyes, Minister of National Defence.
“The aircraft will support missions including disaster response, humanitarian relief, and other utility needs.”
About the SUBARU BELL 412EPX
Built in Japan by Subaru, the 412EPX is further building on the reputation that the 412 line has made for itself as a reliable utility helicopter.
Certified in 2018, the SUBARU BELL 412EPX possesses an increased maximum internal weight of 12,200 lbs, external weight of 13,000 lbs and up to 5,000 lbs of goods with a cargo hook.
The platform enables large cargo and personnel transportation with its ability to carry up to 5,385 lbs.
The 412EPX has a robust main rotor gearbox which improves horsepower and maximum weight capacity. This effectively enables the aircraft to transport more supplies and perform operations more efficiently.
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