Bell to boost commercial copter biz

[SINGAPORE] Bell Helicopters will look to grow its commercial helicopter business further to make up for lower military spending, says CEO John Garrison.

In an interview with BT yesterday, Mr Garrison said future production of military aircraft such as the tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey will slow, necessitating growth from commercial helicopters to offset it.

Bell delivered 41 V-22s last year, its highest ever, he said. But planned deliveries this year and the next will fall to 36 and 21 aircraft, respectively.