Bell 407 Seven-Seat Light Helicopter, USASince the first flight of the Bell 407 helicopter took place in 1995, the helicopter has completed over 1.2 million flight hours and more than 600 are in operation in more than 40 countries worldwide. The aircraft entered service in 1996. The seven-seat helicopter has a range of 612km (330nm). The Bell 407 is a high-manoeuvrability, four-bladed, light helicopter with hot and high altitude capability. The helicopter can fly in arctic, desert and hot and high environments. "The Bell 407 is a high-manoeuvrability, four-bladed, light helicopter with hot and high altitude capability."
In August 2005, the United States Army selected a variant of the Bell 407 for its armed reconnaissance helicopter – the replacement for the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters which are approaching the end of operational life. 368 helicopters are to be built to enter service from 2010. The ARH-70A will be armed with Hellfire missiles, 2.75 rockets and a Gatling gun which can fire 2,000 rounds a minute. BELL 407 DESIGNThe four-bladed light helicopter has carbon-fibre side body panels with close tolerance fit carbon fibre doors that feature easy opening and slam closing. The four-bladed, all-composite main rotor, diameter 10.67m, is of a similar design to that of the OH-58D Kiowa helicopter. It is installed with a soft-mount pylon isolation system providing quiet and comfortable flight characteristics for the crew and passengers. HELICOPTER COCKPITThe cockpit is ergonomically designed with two crew seats. The flight deck is fitted with a twist grip throttle collective and Northrop Grumman (Litton) active matrix liquid crystal displays. The helicopter can be fitted with a Honeywell Bendix / King avionics suite with a KR 87 automatic direction finder, KLN 89B global positioning system, KCS 55A compass and emergency locator transponder through Bell optional equipment installation. An automatic flight control system, the SFIM PA-85T AFCS, is available from Edwards & Associates through a customised installation. "The cabin is configured to suit the customer's specifications and comfortably accommodates five passengers."
Chelton Flight Systems of Boise, Idaho, has been selected to supply a new glass cockpit for the 407. The Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) has flat panel displays, real-time 3D terrain and Highway-In-The-Sky (HITS) navigation, Class-B helicopter TAWS (Terrain Awareness / Warning), dual embedded FMS (Flight Management System), integrated GPS-WAAS (Global Positioning System / Wide Area Augmentation System), digital flight recording, solid-state air data computer and a strap-down AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System). The system includes an EICAS (Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System) display. The new cockpit will be installed as an option in new models from early 2007. Existing aircraft can be upgraded with the new cockpit. CABIN CONFIGURATIONSThe cabin is configured to suit the customer's specifications and comfortably accommodates five passengers. A standard configuration has two rearward and three forward facing seats. The helicopter carries a maximum payload of 1,089kg using the standard gross weight of 2,268kg, and carries 1,171kg at the alternative gross weight of 2,381kg (flying at gross weights above 2,268kg may result in a reduced take-off and landing envelope). The baggage compartment has a capacity of 0.45m³. With the passenger seats removed, the cabin provides 2.4m³ cargo space. MISSION VARIANTSFor emergency / air ambulance applications, the large cabin accommodates a stretcher patient and medical attendants. The starboard door is 0.91m wide and the standard bi-folding 1.55m-wide door on the port side gives fast and easy access. "368 Bell 407s will be built for delivery between 2007 and 2013."
The law-enforcement variant of the Bell 407, configured by Edwards & Associates, based in Tennessee, is equipped with bubble windows, searchlights and a forward looking infrared surveillance system. ROLLS-ROYCE TURBOSHAFT ENGINEThe helicopter is fitted with a Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turboshaft engine with full authority digital engine control, providing main transmission power ratings of up to 606kW take-off power and 522kW maximum continuous power. This delivers a better spread with engine power to give improved high and hot capability. The rupture-resistant fuel system has a 477l tank. For long-range operation, an auxiliary 75l tank can be installed in the baggage compartment. From 2007, the Bell 407 models will be assembled with a more powerful engine, the Honeywell HTS900, rated at 690kW (925shp).
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  The Bell 407 entered service in 1996 and more than 600 are in operation worldwide. | |
 The seven-seat helicopter has a range of 612km (330nm). | ||
 For emergency / air ambulance missions, the cabin accommodates one stretcher patient and medical attendants. | ||
 In August 2005, the United States Army selected a variant of the Bell 407 as its replacement Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). | ||
 The law-enforcement version of the Bell 407 is equipped with bubble windows, searchlights and a FLIR. | ||
 The Bell 407 is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turboshaft engine with FADEC, providing up to 606kW take-off power. | ||
 The four-bladed, all-composite main rotor is installed with a soft-mount pylon isolation system, providing quiet and comfortable flight. |
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