World’s First ‘Super-Medium’ Helicopter unveiled By Bell

Bell Helicopter announced the world’s first “super-medium” helicopter, the Bell 525 Relentless, at the 2012 Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas. Designed to offer best-in-class capabilities, it features superior payload and range, cabin and cargo volumes and crew visibility and is capable of carrying up to 16 passengers, the Bell 525 Relentless is designed to support customers in various mission configurations including oil & gas, search & rescue, helicopter emergency medical services and VIP/corporate transport. John Garrison, President & CEO, Bell Helicopter, said, “The new Bell 525 Relentless is a culmination of our research and development efforts, which were informed by a representative product development panel of our customers, including PHi, an industry leader in helicopter operations”. The new Bell 525 Relentless will be powered by the reliable performance of world-class GE engines – the GE CT7-2F1. This latest version of the highly successful CT7 family is designed with an emphasis on low fuel consumption, low cost of operation and with other technical features to ensure aircraft meet the requirements of long range, high payload missions. The CT7-2F1 engine includes a state-of-the-art Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) plus advanced materials, primarily in the turbine section.