Bell
Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, revealed the configuration and full-scale
vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) air taxi vehicle during CES 2019. The air
taxi, named Bell Nexus, is powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system and
features Bell’s signature powered lift concept incorporating six tilting ducted
fans that are designed to safely and efficiently redefine air travel.
As
space at the ground level becomes limited, the need to solve transportation
challenges in the vertical dimension is important– and that’s where Bell’s
on-demand mobility vision takes hold. The industry has anticipated the reveal
of the air taxi for some time.
“We
believe the design, taken with our strategic approach to build this
infrastructure, will lead to the successful deployment of the Bell Nexus to the
world”, said Mitch Snyder, president and
CEO, Bell
Team
Nexus, consisting of Bell, Safran, EPS, Thales, Moog and Garmin, are
collaborating on Bell’s VTOL aircraft and on-demand mobility solutions. Bell
will lead the design, development and production of the VTOL systems. Safran
will provide the hybrid propulsion and drive systems, EPS will provide the
energy storage systems, Thales will provide the Flight Control Computer (FCC)
hardware and software, Moog will develop the flight control actuation systems
and Garmin will integrate the avionics and the vehicle management computer
(VMC).
AUTONOMOUS POD TRANSPORT (APT)
Alongside
the debut of Bell Nexus, Bell featured the Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) – an
exciting new venture for Bell. The APT family varies in payload capability that
can serve many mission sets from medical, law enforcement, offshore missions
and on-demand delivery services.
Source: Bell