All Bell civil helicopters are now approved to use GE Aerospace’s Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System-Next Generation (RADS-NG) for rotor track and balance and diagnostics. RADS-NG, which replaces GE’s RADS-Advanced Technology and Aviation Vibration Analyzer systems, is the company’s latest portable rotor track and balance solution. More than 5,000 RADS-AT units have been delivered and it is standard equipment for the U.S. Army and Navy.
The first RADS-NG delivery was in 2024 to Germiston, South Africa-based Henley Air, and since then, GE has delivered these systems to Bell for flight test and pre-delivery checks. Bell and other customers helped refine the next-generation system, which also has a flexible configuration to be used for other rotorcraft types such as tiltrotors, coaxial rotor helicopters, and eVTOL aircraft.
“Enabling the use of RADS-NG will differentiate the Bell fleet of helicopters as a leader in cutting-edge vibration analysis,” said Bell director of customer solutions Van Wilson. “The distinct advantage of performing regular, proactive vibration measurements and monitoring this data with GE Aerospace’s latest technological advancements will provide a real-time benefit in enhancing component life and passenger comfort.”
“One of our first operators reported a 10% torque savings after using RADS-NG,” said Matt Burns, general manager of avionics at GE Aerospace.