Bell Textron Inc. has been chosen to progress to the second phase of the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next program competition. This selection underscores Bell’s position as a serious contender to provide a comprehensive, turnkey training solution for developing the Army’s future aviation warfighters.
Jeffrey Schloesser, senior vice president of strategic pursuits at Bell, expressed the team’s commitment, stating, “We are honored to move forward. With Bell’s extensive history in military flight training, the proven Bell 505, and the expertise of our teammates, we are confident our solution will support the Army in developing its next generation of aviators.”
Bell’s proposal is deeply rooted in a 70-year legacy of training Army pilots. The lineage began with the iconic H-13 Sioux, the Army’s first primary trainer, continued through the UH-1H Huey and the TH-67 Creek, and now centers on the modern Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The 505 embodies the high-performance and reliability of its predecessors, offering a proven, sustainable platform ideally suited for primary flight training.
The company’s proposed solution leverages three core strengths: the aircraft itself, the globally recognized Bell Training Academy (BTA), and cutting-edge, modern training technology. The BTA provides a structured, validated curriculum and instructor methodology, while advanced simulation and data-driven learning tools aim to enhance student proficiency and readiness.
As the competition enters its next phase, the Bell team is prepared to demonstrate how this integrated approach will effectively transform student pilots into capable, mission-ready aviation warfighters. The goal is to provide the Army with a low-risk, high-fidelity training system that honors a shared history while building a more capable future force.
