TSAMTO, June 30. The Jamaican Armed Forces have received six Bell-505 "Jet Ranger X" helicopters manufactured by Bell Textron Inc., purchased as part of the helicopter fleet modernization plan.
As reported by Infodefensa.com they will be used to support national security operations, conduct search and rescue operations, medical evacuation, transportation, fire fighting, disaster relief, support military exercises, and also be used by the Caribbean Military Aviation School (CMAS) to train helicopter pilots from different countries.
As reported by TSAMTO, Bell Textron Inc. announced the signing of an agreement for the supply of six Bell-505 "Jet Ranger X" helicopters for the Armed Forces of Jamaica on February 8, 2021. The vehicles are ordered in a configuration to support public safety operations. Bell Textron Inc. announced the delivery of the first Bell-505 of the Jamaican Armed Forces on May 11, 2021.
The Bell-505 is a new five-seat helicopter of the Bell company, deliveries of which began in 2017. It is equipped with a Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine, can carry four passengers, reach speeds of up to 232 km/h and carry a payload weighing up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg). The flight range is 644 km. The similarity with the Bell-429 ensures a smooth transition of cadets to piloting these helicopters after training. The Garmin G1000 avionics are similar to those used by training aircraft of the Jamaican Armed Forces and reduce the load on pilots.
The Jamaican Armed Forces became the second military customer of the Bell-505 after the Montenegrin Air Force, which signed a contract for the supply of two helicopters.
Currently, the helicopter fleet of the air wing of the Jamaican Armed Forces consists exclusively of Bell helicopters. In addition to the Bell-505 "Jet Ranger X", it includes Bell-412EP, 407 and 429.
