The Bell 407M light attack helicopter could make a useful force multiplier for Ukraine. (Bell)
Bell has pitched its latest version of the armed 407 helicopter to Ukraine, telling Janes on 23 July that it had held talks with the country over a potential transfer.
Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, Jeffrey Schloesser, executive vice-president of strategic pursuits at Bell, said the 407M had been proposed to Ukraine as part of a wider global push for the light attack helicopter.
“We have been working to sell the 407M globally, and have been in discussions with Ukraine,” Schloesser said, adding that it was up to that country to disclose any further information pertaining to a potential acquisition.
The 407M was launched by Bell in 2022, building on the 407GT that was first launched in 2013 with a much more capable human-machine interface, specifically moving from a largely analogue to a digital system.
According to company specifications, the 407M features a Garmin G1000H NXi cockpit with TekFusion Global Pathfinder mission and weapons management systems, has a night-vision goggle (NVG)-compatible cockpit, an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, and a CFD International two or four station weapons wing. With a 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) external maximum gross weight, the platform's weapons include 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm gun pods or pintle-mounted guns, 70 mm Hydra unguided rockets, BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rockets, and Hellfire or Griffin air-to-surface missiles.
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