Private company procures Bell 407GT light attack helo for use in Africa, the Middle East

Bell Helicopter has sold its first 407GT light attack and armed reconnaissance platform to BBM Inc to perform a variety of security missions in the Middle East and Africa.
Bell Helicopter did not disclose how many of the armed 407GTs are to be acquired, but the private company procured 16 unarmed 407GX helicopters, on which the 407GT is based, earlier this year. According to Bell Helicopter, the helicopters will be used in undisclosed countries for missions including law enforcement and homeland security.
BBM Inc describes itself as "spearheading [a] variety of capabilities to support a wide array of mission profiles in the Middle East, Africa, and around the world"
On its website, it lists a number of capabilities that it provides, including Air Solutions; Helicopters. Besides the 407GX and 407GT platforms, BBM Inc's helicopter solutions comprise the Bell 428, Huey II, and Bell 212 platforms. The company also provides fixed-wing aircraft (including the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules), unmanned aerial vehicles, a range of armoured and soft-skinned vehicles, naval vessels (including mine sweepers and patrol boats), as well as body armour and night vision goggles.
First revealed in March 2013, the 407GT is derived from the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in service with the US Army. It is fitted with the Garmin G1000HTM 'glass' cockpit and can be equipped with electro-optic/infrared sensors, as well as light weapons and precision-guided munitions.
janes

Mexico to Buy 15 Bell 407GX for its Air Force

Bell announced the sale of 15 Bell 407GXs to the Mexican Air Force (FAM) with deliveries to begin this year. The aircraft will be configured for a variety of parapublic missions.
The FAM have been operating Bell helicopters since 1973 with the delivery of a Bell 206-B, and their fleet currently includes a Bell 412EP, Bell 212 and Bell 206.
The Bell 407GXs will be operated by the 111th Air Squadron based at the Military Airbase in Zapopan, Jalisco.
textron

Mexican Air Force to buy Bell 407GX Helicopters

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) plans to spend USD554 million on four new projects that would buy a total of 23 aircraft.
The first project is to buy 14 Bell 407GX light helicopters that are to be configured for narcotics eradication and armed escort missions.
Bell 407GXs are to operate in pairs, with one helicopter performing aerial spraying of marijuana or poppy plantations while covered by an armed escort. The Bell 407GXs will replace similarly configured Bell 206B/Ls operated by the 111th Air Squadron based at No.5 Military Airbase (BAM-5) in Zapopan, Jalisco.
janes

Iraq Seeks Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters

The US DSCA announces an official export request from Iraq for a 5-year continuation of contractor logistics support for its Bell 407 (T-407 and IA-407), OH-58, and Huey II helicopters. This will include maintenance support, personnel training and training equipment.
The principal contractor will be Bell Helicopter.
A very similar announcement with an identical contract number was issued on Dec 18/13, which referenced DSCA Foreign Military Sales case IQ-B-UDZ, and had only half of the funds committed. This looks like an amendment.
defenseindustrydaily

US closer to sale, lease of Apache helicopters to Iraq

A resurgence of militants in Iraq and the chaos they are creating has gotten Washington’s attention.

Speaker of the House , urged the Obama administration Thursday to re-engage on the matter and emphasized the need to maintain a long-term commitment to securing U.S. interests in that nation.

On Wednesday, a powerful Senate Democrat has signaled that he might allow the transfer of AH-64 Apache helicopters to Iraq as the government in Baghdad struggles to recapture key territory seized by Islamic extremists.

Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, has blocked the lease and sale of the powerful attack helicopters for months seeking for assurances that Iraq would not use them to attack civilians, and that the government in Baghdad would take steps to stop Iran from using Iraqi airspace to ship arms to Syria.

The Obama administration has proposed selling up to 30 of the helicopters to the Iraqis, but, because building them could take years, it has also asked to lease up to 10 aircraft in the interim. Administration officials said the Apaches could be useful in targeting fighters affiliated with al Qaida like those who have taken over parts of Fallujah and Ramadi.

The US administration also is planning to ship more Hellfire missiles as early as this spring, 10 ScanEagle surveillance drones in coming weeks and 48 Raven surveillance drones later in the year. Those come on top of Aerostat surveillance balloons provided in September and three additional Bell IA-407 helicopters sent last month.
stripes

MQ-8C First Flight this week

This week the newest Fire Scout variant, MQ-8C Fire Scout, will take to the skies for the first time.
MQ-8C is an RDC effort in response to an urgent request to provide maritime based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) at extended ranges from host ships in less than 24 months. First flight is set to occur this month, 18 months after the contract award to prime integrator, Northrop- Grumman.
Leveraging off the existing MQ-8 Fire Scout infrastructure, the C variant provides the Navy with double the endurance and triple the payload capability of its predecessor, allowing for 15+ hours of flight time and over 2,600 lbs. of payload. This increase in capability will allow us the opportunity to put additional weight, perhaps sensors, on the aircraft.
The MQ-8C, is a modified commercial Bell 407 helicopter to include additional fuel capability, upgraded engines and improved reliability to provide increased range and endurance and then integrated the majority of the MQ-8B avionics and payloads onto that air frame.
The MQ-8C will complete ground testing at Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu and also be integrated into the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) for maritime assessment.
navylive

Chile shopping for light attack helicopters

Chile is looking at the Eurocopter EC 635, the Bell 407 AH and the Boeing AH-6i as candidates for its light attack helicopter contest.

istockanalyst