Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. Company announce today a signed 5 year sole source agreement with GAR Electroforming div. of Electroformers Inc. to provide Abrasion sheaths for the Bell 429 helicopter. The sheaths protect the helicopter Main and Tail Rotor Blades from wear due to sand and water erosion. In support of this effort GAR Electroforming is upgrading its manufacturing facility at 11 Augusta drive and is currently remodeling a 16,000 sq/ft building at 10 Eagle Road, both in Danbury, CT.

The Bell 429 delivers exceptional speed, range, hover performance and enhanced safety margins with a fully-integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system and best-in-class WAAS navigation and IFR capability. The Bell 429 has more cabin space than any other light twin helicopter, with flat flooring and seating for seven passengers and one flight crew. Wide 60 inch side doors and optional rear clam-shell doors provide quick and easy access.