Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, and Leonardo S.p.A., have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to evaluate cooperation opportunities in the tiltrotor technology domain.
Leonardo shared the following statement on the cooperation:
As global leaders in designing, manufacturing, and supporting rotorcraft for commercial and
military applications, Bell and Leonardo share a multi-decade history of industrial cooperation on both traditional helicopters as well as tiltrotor technology collaboration.
The cooperative effort wil begin in earnest with the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability
(NGRC) Concept Study #5, where Leonardo will take the lead on a tiltrotor architecture proposal
with Bell in support.
“This cooperative effort between Bell and Leonardo reflects ourshared vision that next generation rotorcraft will be influenced by the speed, range and maneuverability only tltrotor technology can deliver,”said Lisa Atherton, president and CEO, Bell. “We are proudto deepen our relationship with Leonardo as we continue to explore emerging vertical lift programs in Europeand the United States.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director Of Leonardo Helicopters, said “We’re thrilled to evaluate new
joint efforts for the next generation of rotorcraft technologies, based on our solid and shared view of the unique advantages of tiltrotors. Leonardo has always firmly endorsed tiltrotor technologies to meet evolving rotorcraft requirements, even more so as new needs emerge in the market.”