The Legacy Continues: Bell Military Trainers of the Past and Future

Bell is committed to delivering high-performance aircraft to the military, ensuring our warfighters can depend on them to complete their missions. From renowned aircraft such as the UH-1 Iroquois (commonly known as the Huey), the AH-1 Cobra, and the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, to the next generation of military aviation like the MV-75 FLRAA, Bell has established itself as a reliable military partner. Furthermore, Bell's combat aircraft are not the only ones offering exceptional capabilities. Over the past 70 years, Bell has supplied numerous training helicopters to the U.S. Military, aiding the services in transforming student pilots into aviators through rotary-wing flight training.

UH-1 Iroquois

The H-13 Sioux was the U.S. Army's initial primary training helicopter. The UH-1 "Huey" gained iconic status during the Vietnam War, where it played a crucial role in troop transport and MEDEVAC operations, revolutionising the battlefield with its rotary-wing capabilities. The UH-1H served as the primary training aircraft at Fort Rucker for many years.

H-13 Sioux

The Army’s TH-67 Creek remains the Department of Defence’s longest-serving training aircraft and has flown for more than 1,915,000 hours. It delivered tremendous results for more than 25,000 pilots as they developed the fundamental skills needed to effectively train and operate their advanced combat aircraft. The Navy’s PMA-273 program office has leveraged the TH-57 Sea Ranger as its primary training helicopter since 1981. It has been a cornerstone for Helicopter Training Squadrons, including the HT-28 Hellions. Over 33,000 pilots have earned their “Wings of Gold” with the TH-57 accumulating over 3 million flight hours.

 TH-67 Creek

“The TH-57 has been a phenomenal rotary-wing trainer and has served the Naval Air Training Command with distinction for more than 44 years,” said Commander James Gelsinon, Commanding Officer of Helicopter Training Squadron TWENTY EIGHT (HT-28). “Since entering service in 1981, it has been the foundation for every Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and allied nation maritime helicopter and tiltrotor pilot. The TH-57B and TH-57C have logged an astounding 3.32 million flight hours and helped produce more than 33,800 winged naval aviators. Every rotary-wing and tiltrotor pilot in the sea services has flown the TH-57, solidifying its legacy as a cornerstone of naval aviation training.”

TH-57

For more than 40 years, the TH-57 has empowered HT-28 to develop aviators equipped with the confidence and skills essential for a seamless transition from trainer aircraft to advanced combat aircraft. The TH-57 establishes the benchmark for purpose-built trainers that are reliable, safe, and exceptionally capable of supporting the rigorous curricula required for military aviators to complete rotary wing flight training.

As Bell prepares to respond to an upcoming solicitation from the U.S. Army for the Flight School Next (FSN) program, the company aims to uphold its legacy as a trusted provider of military training aircraft with the purpose-built Bell 505. The Bell 505 is a contemporary training aircraft, designed and inspired by previous trainers, particularly the TH-67/TH-57 series, which were variants of the Bell 206.

Building on the essential features of the 206L4, including the drive train, blades, and various dynamic components, the Bell 505's autorotational handling characteristics and integrated glass cockpit position it as a contemporary successor to its predecessors. This well-established platform stands as the most versatile and capable light helicopter in its class.

The 505 exemplifies Bell's approach to evaluating customer needs, allowing us to continuously enhance our aircraft to align with their requirements. This process ensures the development of capabilities that are highly advantageous for military rotary-wing training programs.

As the U.S. Army aims to enhance its rotary-wing training curriculum through the Flight School Next program, Bell is crafting a comprehensive and high-performance training solution featuring the Bell 505 helicopter. This solution extends beyond the aircraft itself, incorporating advanced training technology and capitalising on Bell's established reputation as a global leader in training civilian and military pilots to operate safely in challenging mission environments.

For over seventy years, Bell has demonstrated its dedication to supporting our military personnel by providing dependable aircraft that guide student pilots through the crucial stages of their primary training. Bell has established a benchmark for highly reliable aircraft, enabling student pilots to safely acquire the skills needed to proficiently operate advanced aircraft in dynamic combat environments. As we anticipate future opportunities for our specialised military trainer, Flight School Next will draw upon the extensive knowledge gained from our renowned military aircraft and training standards.