The Guatemalan Air Force has received two of the latest Subaru Bell 412 helicopters from US-based Bell Textron.
The firm delivered the aircraft as part of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract between Bell and the US Army Multinational Aviation Special Programs Office (MASPO) earlier this year.
“We are honored to bring the most modern version of the Bell 412 to Guatemala,” Vice President Carl Coffman said.
“Turnaround from signature to delivery is a statement to the men and women supporting this aircraft at every level of the business, and a testament to the efficiency of the IDIQ contract between Bell and MASPO.”
‘Reliable In the Extreme’
The latest version of the Bell helicopter is a multi-mission aircraft providing reliable operations in extreme environments through its weather radar and war-strike technologies.
The 56-foot (17-meter) chopper features a robust main rotor gearbox with greater horsepower and weight capacity.
Equipped with twin engines, the Bell 412EPX can operate at high altitudes, flying up to 228 kilometers (141 miles) per hour with a flight endurance of up to 3.8 hours.
“We are excited to introduce the Subaru Bell 412EPX into the Guatemalan Air Force,” National Defence Minister General Henry Yovani Reyes said.
Apart from supporting various military missions, the aircraft can also be deployed for “disaster response, humanitarian relief, and other utility needs,” and carry up to six patients on board.