The Japan National Police Agency (JPNA) has placed the first order for the Subaru Bell 412EPX medium-twin helicopter, the companies announced at the Paris Air Show. Last year Bell and Subaru announced their collaboration on a commercial enhancement of the helicopter, which they co-developed for the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) utility helicopter program. Subaru delivered a prototype aircraft to JMOD for testing this February. The helicopter features a more robust main rotor gearbox dry run capability, an increased internal maximum gross weight to 12,200 pounds, and mast torque output of plus 11 percent at speeds below 60 knots.
“We thank the National Police Agency for its trust,” said Bell CEO Mitch Snyder. “These aircraft will contribute to the overall safety and security of the people in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. We look forward to further collaboration and continued success with Subaru for many years to come."
Bell has a long history with Japan beginning in 1952 when it delivered three model 47D-1s to customers in the country. Bell began its partnership with Subaru in the 1960s when it licensed production of the UH-1B/204B. Subaru subsequently manufactured and supported more than 400 helicopters in Japan including delivering UH-1H/204B-2s, UH-1J/205Bs, and AH-1Ss to the JMOD. The company provides helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul support to the Japan Coast Guard, Japan National Police Agency, and to the Japan Firefighting and Disaster Relief Government agencies.
The Bell 412 is currently in service with para-public customers in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, the U.S., and Thailand.