Textron’s subsidiary Bell Helicopter is set to establish a short light single (SLS) helicopter line at Lafayette Regional Airport, Louisiana, creating 115 new jobs.

The company said that Louisiana was selected for the $11.4m project following an extensive site-selection process.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) expects the aerospace project will create additional 136 jobs, contributing to the total 250 new jobs in Acadiana.

In support of the project, the Louisiana state offered an incentive package that includes performance-based grants of $4m for lease support, $3.8m for infrastructure and equipment, and $0.2m to reimburse relocation expenses.

"Louisiana Economic Development expects the aerospace project will create additional 136 jobs for a total of over 250 new jobs in Acadiana."

For the SLS assembly operation, Bell will lease space in a new 82,300ft² hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport,

Located on a 14.5 acre site, the facility will be owned by Lafayette Regional Airport and construction is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2014.

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Bell will start the hiring process for the new facility by 2015, while the assembly operations are slated to begin by 2016, following certification of the facility and the aircraft.

The company already employs 63 people at its two facilities involved in helicopter components and service operations.

The five-seat, single-engine, turbine SLS helicopter will be the contemporary version of the JetRanger aircraft, which was developed by Bell more than 50 years ago.

At the 2013 Paris Air Show in June, Bell announced plans to re-enter the SLS market.

With a load capacity of 1,500lb, a speed of 144mph and a cruising range of more than 400 miles, the SLS will focus on safety, efficiency and reliability by incorporating advanced technology.

The aircraft can be deployed in a wide range of operations including, utility, law enforcement, civilian flight training, among others.

Defence Technology