US helicopter manufacturer Bell has begun building new facilities in Grande Prairie after its new V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft won the US Army main attack helicopter to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk. It has been reported Stars and Stripes.
The publication states that Bell has registered with the Texas Licensing and Regulatory Plans for the construction of a new building that covers 3.5 thousand square feet and costs $20 million. The application shows a completion date of March 30. , 2024.
Construction of the facility began even though the US Congress had not yet completed verification of the legality of the tender in the case of Bell’s main rival, Sikorsky, who lost the contract. The application deadline is April 7th.
Previously reportedIt has been announced that the US State Department has approved the sale of 40 Black Hawk helicopters to Australia, and the amount of the deal is 1.95 billion dollars.
The Pentagon said in a statement that it was “vital” for the United States to help its ally “develop and maintain a strong self-defense force readiness capability”.
Negotiations to purchase American helicopters began in December 2021, when the Australian government announced that it was scrapping its own fleet of MRH90 Taipan helicopters, 15 years ahead of schedule.
In addition to helicopters, the Australian aircraft will receive engines, radio equipment and encryption devices.