Southeast Aerospace (Booth 801) has delivered 22 of 30 heavily modified Bell 407GX helicopters ordered by what the company said is an undisclosed military customer from outside the U.S. The aircraft, which will be designated as the NSA 407MRH, are to be used in a light attack and armed reconnaissance role and will be supplied to the end user by NorthStar Aviation.
Florida-based Southeast Aerospace has refitted the 407s with an extensive package of upgrades including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, as well as mission and communications systems. Items fitted include digital audio/ICS, UHF/VHF/satcom, IFF transponder, electronic standby instrument, Iridium tracker, radio altimeter, stores and mission management systems, EO/IR sensors and video downlinks, Tacan, NVIS modifications, composite doors and emergency locator transmitter.
Though Southeast Aerospace declined to identify the customer for the Bell 407GXs, it has previously been reported that Abu Dhabi-based NorthStar is supplying them to the United Arab Emirates. The remaining eight aircraft are due to be delivered by the end of 2016 and, according to local media reports, some of the aircraft have already been deployed for combat operations in Yemen.