Engineers at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas, are powering the new Bell 407GXP helicopter with upgraded M250 engines from Rolls-Royce in London. The companies signed a long-term agreement to purchase the enhanced M250 engines, designed to boost power and fuel efficiency.

Deliveries of M250-C47B/8 engines for Bell 407GXP helicopters will include a factory installed Value Improvement Package (VIP) kit, intended to increase “hot and high” power by up to eight percent, while improving fuel efficiency by up to two percent, officials say. The package will also reduce Direct Operating Costs and expand the mission range and payload capability, according to company officials.

The Rolls-Royce VIP kit has been delivered to operators as an upgrade since 2012. The new 10-year agreement with Bell represents the first time the VIP kit will be factory installed in new civil engine deliveries.

“The new M250-C47B/8 engines will add power and reduce fuel costs,” says Jason Propes, Rolls-Royce, senior vice president, helicopters. “We look forward to working with Bell Helicopter on 407GXP improvements and continuing to enhance capabilities while cutting operator costs.”

“It's great to continue this relationship with Rolls-Royce and continually improve on the capabilities of the 407 helicopter,” notes Van Wilson, Bell GXP program director, Bell Helicopter.

Bell 407 helicopters have been equipped with a Rolls-Royce engine for more than 19 years and the fleet has accumulated millions of flight hours, Wilson adds.

Rolls-Royce has been a supplier to Bell Helicopter for decades. Overall, the Rolls-Royce M250 engine line has topped 235 million flight hours in more than 100 types of aircraft. Roughly 15,000 M250s are in service around the world.