Nebraska State Patrol Adds Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to Aviation Support Division

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Long-standing Bell customer will add to aviation fleet to further assist in public safety operations

Fort Worth, TX (12 Oct. 2021) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today the signed Bell 505 purchase agreement by the Nebraska State Patrol. The Bell 505 will join a Bell 407 to aid in daily public safety missions including search and rescue, surveillance, photography, criminal pursuits and apprehension, as well as natural disaster response.

“As we approach the third anniversary of the first delivery of the public-safety configured Bell 505, our customer interest from global municipalities continues to grow,” said Jay Ortiz, vice president, Commercial Business, The Americas. “The Bell 505 delivers best in-class capabilities and cost of operations to complete the important mission of law enforcement agencies’ daily aerial operations.”

The Nebraska State Patrol began their Aviation Support Unit in 1970 with a Bell 206B Jet Ranger. In 1979, the Patrol purchased a Bell 206BIII Jet Ranger and the following year acquired three Cessna 182RG's. Over a period of nearly 30 years these aircraft flew a combined 40,000 flight hours serving the citizens of Nebraska.

Today, the agency's aircraft operate almost daily in the interest of public safety. The Aviation Support Division (ASD) will operate a Bell 505, a Bell 407 helicopter, three Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair fixed-wing aircraft, and a Piper Super Cub, and provide support to any law enforcement agency in the state.

“Operating Bell aircraft has been critical to our Aviation Support Division’s operations in order to protect and serve the citizens of the State of Nebraska, and the Bell 505 will allow us to cost-effectively evolve our mission capability,” Sergeant Brian Petersen, Nebraska State Patrol’s Aviation Division Commander. “Bell has provided industry-leading aircraft and support over the last 30 years, and we look forward to extending our long-standing relationship.”

Nebraska State Patrol’s Bell 505 is outfitted with mission-leading equipment including L3 Wescam MX-10 camera system, Trakka Beam TLX, and a MacroBlue Tactical Display with Churchill ARS 700C Augmented Reality Mapping System technology.

With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is Bell’s newest five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability using advanced avionics technology. With a Garmin G1000, the platform leverages advanced avionics to reduce pilot workload and enhance mission experience.

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Blakeley Thress

Commercial Business, The Americas
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About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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