Bell Helicopter is participating in the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), held May 14 to 16 in Tampa, Fla. Bell Helicopter will feature an armed Bell 407 on static display, its first commercially qualified armed helicopter, a CV-22 model and 3-D interactive programs demonstrating the capabilities of the V-22 Osprey and Bell V-280 Valor.
“SOFIC provides an important opportunity for us to spend time with current and potential customers,” said Mitch Snyder, executive vice president for military programs at Bell Helicopter. “Our new 3-D programs give attendees the opportunity to experience the unmatched capabilities of the V-22 Osprey and Bell V-280 Valor. In addition, the armed Bell 407 on static display shows customers the versatility this aircraft offers with its various weapons configurations.”
Bell is billing its V-22 Osprey as combat-proven and the only vertical lift platform capable of rapid self-deployment to any theater of operation. The V-22 is one of the safest rotorcraft in the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps fleet, with more than 170,000 flight hours and outstanding operational performance, the company says.
Introduced at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) annual form and expo, the Bell V-280 Valor is Bell Helicopter’s offering for the Joint Multi Role (JMR)/Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Technology Demonstrator. With 280 KTAS cruise speed and a combat range of 500-800 nautical miles, the Valor promises twice the speed and twice the range of the current medium helicopter, more than doubling operational reach. Bell describes the V-280 as “a true force multiplier” as a result of its capabilities, covering more than five times the area of a current medevac aircraft and requiring smaller support infrastructure and security.
The armed Bell 407 includes the advanced technology of the best selling Bell 407GX. Built on the proven Bell 407 platform and designed for military and parapublic operations, the aircraft encompasses performance, reliability and maintainability. The armed Bell 407 is capable of performing a wide range of missions, configurable for multiple weapons and surveillance packages, including mini-guns, rocket pods, multi-sensor camera and NVG capabilities. The armed Bell 407 offers excellent hot and high performance, a spacious, multi-mission capable cabin with 85 cubic feet (2.4 cubic meters) of useable volume that accommodates six passengers, and a standard bi-fold door with a 61-inch (155-cm) opening for quick, easy loading and unloading.
SOFIC’s 2013 theme, “Strengthening the SOF Bond,” provides a forum for military, government, academia and industry stakeholders to network and discuss current and future challenges and how to best support U.S. Special Operations Forces in four key areas: preservation of the force and families, human domain, support of the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and innovation. Events include a business opportunities session, networking reception, USSOCOM Component Commander panel, USSOCOM Senior Enlisted Advisors panel, gala reception, dinner and awards presentation.
