RJAF to Buy 10 Bell 505 Helicopters

Our Bureau - : Nov 2, 2022 - : 6:21 am

The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) will buy 10 Bell 505 light helicopters to train its next generation pilots. The contract includes the delivery of the aircraft with a flight training device and a comprehensive computer-based training package to enable...

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The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) will buy 10 Bell 505 light helicopters to train its next generation pilots.

The contract includes the delivery of the aircraft with a flight training device and a comprehensive computer-based training package to enable an enhanced approach to basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training at the King Hussein Air College in Mafraq, Jordan. The value of the deal is not available.

Bell, a subsidiary of American firm Textron, will deliver five helicopters to the RJAF in 2023 and the remaining five in 2024, a senior company executive told Daily News.

“It is with profound gratitude to the Royal Jordanian Air Force that we share news of this agreement to purchase the Bell 505s as the new helicopter trainer for the Air Force,” said Patrick Moulay, senior vice president, International Business, Bell.

The agreement to purchase the helicopters was announced on the opening day of the 13th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX). The airframe weighs 2,180 pounds empty, or 4,475 pounds fully loaded, and can carry a single pilot and up to four passengers.

“We look forward to adding the Bell 505 aircraft to our fleet and providing our pilots with one of the best possible aircraft for their training. The addition of 10 new aircraft will enable us to further expand our operations in the country, in turn increasing the capabilities of the Royal Jordanian Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Mohammad F. Hiyasat, Commander, Royal Jordanian Air Force.

The Bell 505, also known as the Jet Ranger X, is powered by a single engine, fitted with dual-channel, full-authority digital engine controls.

“We are dedicated to the Armed Forces, the Air Force, and the citizens of Jordan and offer our commitment to ensure the best of service. The Bell 505 will serve alongside the men and women of the Air Force by playing a critical role in ensuring the operational readiness of its cadets,” commented Sameer Rehman, managing director Africa and Middle East, Bell.

According to the company, the high-tech flight deck and adaptable cabin design make Bell 505 extremely cost-competitive, and capable of meeting any challenge. With light single helicopters forming the majority of training helicopters globally, the Bell 505 is well suited to prepare future military pilots to meet the myriad of challenges they will face in their missions.

The Bell 505 is Bell’s newest five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability. With the latest Garmin avionics and dual channel FADEC-controlled engine, the company claims that the Bell 505 is one of the most advanced short light single-engine aircraft in the market. The helicopter can dramatically reduce pilot workload and maximize safety in a multitude of operational scenarios, the company official said.

In February, the Bell 505 achieved 100,000 global fleet hours. The Bell 505 is a popular aircraft for commercial and military customers alike, offering phenomenal power, optimal visibility and high-tech Garmin avionics. The company recently celebrated the 400th Bell 505 delivery since its launch in 2017.

Jordan will join government agencies across the world, including the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, the Indonesian Navy, Jamaican Defence Force, Japan Coast Guard, Montenegrin Air Force and United Arab Emirates military in utilising the Bell 505 as its helicopter trainer.

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