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Atlanta, United States: The Bell 214ST heavy utility helicopter is set to return to production after more than two decades, with McDermott Aviation announcing plans to restart manufacturing of the aircraft to meet growing global demand for aerial firefighting and disaster response platforms.
The Australian based operator revealed the plan during the Verticon aviation conference in Atlanta this week. McDermott Aviation currently holds the Type Certificate for the Bell 214ST platform and claims to be the world’s largest operator of the Bell 214 series helicopters.
The company said the revived aircraft will be redesigned and upgraded to meet modern operational requirements, particularly in aerial firefighting, heavy lift logistics, and disaster relief missions. The move comes as operators worldwide face a shortage of reliable heavy utility helicopters capable of performing demanding missions.
Originally developed in the late 1970s at the request of Iran’s Shah for military use, the Bell 214ST program shifted to the civil market after the 1979 Iranian revolution. The first production models entered service in 1982 and quickly gained a reputation as a powerful and reliable workhorse for heavy lift operations. The final aircraft rolled off the production line in 1993, meaning most helicopters currently in service are now more than three decades old.
McDermott Aviation Founder and President John McDermott said the company has been continuously improving and modifying the aircraft since acquiring its first Bell 214ST in 2012. According to him, the lack of available aircraft in the market prompted the decision to restart production.
“The aerial firefighting market is short of good utility helicopters that can actually do the work,” McDermott said, noting strong support for the project from operators around the world.
The upgraded helicopter will remain a twin engine heavy utility platform powered by GE CT7 engines, capable of lifting external loads of up to 7,900 pounds or around 3,700 kilograms. The aircraft offers a cruise speed of about 160 knots and a range exceeding 300 nautical miles.
Future variants are expected to feature next generation Safran ANETO engines designed to improve performance, efficiency and operational reliability.
Delivery of modified aircraft based on existing airframes is expected to begin in 2027, while factory new helicopters built with new airframes, engines and avionics are targeted for production between 2028 and 2029.
Components will be manufactured in multiple locations globally, with final assembly planned in San Bernardino, California. McDermott Aviation is headquartered on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, although the company indicated that regulatory challenges have delayed plans to manufacture components in Australia.
Industry observers say the revival of the Bell 214ST represents the return of a proven heavy lift helicopter platform, now updated with modern technology after more than 40 years of operational experience.
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