For more than 70 years, Bell has delivered high-performing aircraft to the U.S. military, ensuring warfighters have the tools to complete their missions. From iconic combat aircraft like the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey,” AH-1 Cobra, and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior to the next-generation MV-75 FLRAA, Bell has built a reputation as a trusted military partner.
That legacy extends beyond the battlefield, with Bell producing several training helicopters that have shaped generations of military aviators. The H-13 Sioux marked the U.S. Army’s first primary trainer, while the UH-1 “Huey” became both a combat icon and a training workhorse at Fort Rucker. The TH-67 Creek remains the Department of Defense’s longest-serving training aircraft, flying more than 1.9 million hours and preparing over 25,000 pilots for advanced platforms.
The U.S. Navy’s TH-57 Sea Ranger, in service since 1981 under the PMA-273 programme, has been central to helicopter training squadrons like HT-28 Hellions. Accumulating over 3.32 million flight hours, it has helped more than 33,800 pilots earn their “Wings of Gold” and served as the foundation for every Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and allied maritime helicopter and tiltrotor pilot.
As Bell prepares to compete for the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next programme, the company is positioning the Bell 505 as the next chapter in this training legacy. Drawing on design elements from earlier trainers like the TH-67/TH-57 family, the Bell 505 incorporates proven drivetrain and rotor components with modern features, including an integrated glass cockpit and superior autorotational handling.
Bell’s proposed solution for Flight School Next will combine the Bell 505 with advanced training technologies, ensuring student pilots receive the skills and confidence to transition seamlessly into operational aircraft. Building on decades of experience, Bell remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and capable trainers that prepare aviators for the challenges of modern military aviation.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: BELL FLIGHT
