Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), a long-term partner of Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT], was awarded a contract for 150 new UH-X multi-purpose helicopters to replace the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) fleet of UH-1J rotorcraft, FHI and Bell said Wednesday.
The UH-X will be based on the Bell 412EPI helicopter as a joint project between FHI and Bell. It is to be developed to JGSDF specifications targeting enhanced performance, safety, and efficiency, Bell said. “The Fuji-Bell team is focused on standing up the developmental UH-X program, as well as advancing capabilities for the global commercial market through the program,” it said.
FHI and Bell Helicopter are operating under a 55-year partnership to build a production line and maintenance facilities for the UH-X and the Fuji-Bell 412+.
The UH-X is planned to be used for island defense and disaster relief efforts, with deployment expected in 2021.
“The Fuji-Bell selection is a significant win for FHI and Bell Helicopter, and today’s contract enables the Fuji-Bell team to initiate the developmental program, including collaboration on the design and industrialization of the aircraft, while setting a path to first flight of a prototype that will meet the JGSDF’s specifications,” John Garrison, Bell Helicopter president and CEO, said in a statement
“Bell Helicopter has a long-standing relationship with FHI and history of successful co-development in Japan, and we look forward to continuing to serve this important customer for many years to come with the best products and service in the industry,” Garrison added.
The Bell 412 has the highest readiness rate of any medium helicopter on the market, the company said. The UH-X will build on this reliability combined with FHI’s manufacturing and support capabilities, it said.
“FHI plans to make maximum use of its original technologies, including metal surface treatment technologies as well as highly efficient production technologies built up in the course of mass-producing civilian aircraft,” FHI said in its statement.
The UH-X will be manufactured at the FHI facility in Utsunomiya, Japan.