Bell Textron has agreed to collaborate with Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH (ESG) to install ESG's mission management system in a Bell 429 as a law enforcement demonstrator. This new demonstrator will be used to showcase the aircraft's capabilities to the police and military markets in Europe and across the globe.

“With the Bell 429 certified to the latest certification standards in its class, combined with market-leading customer support, it was imperative to team up with a top German technology company such as ESG,” says Duncan Van De Velde, Bell's MD for Europe and Russia. “Bell and ESG are committed to providing the best solution to the parapublic market and will work together to showcase this offering.”

For more than 50 years, ESG has been developing, integrating and operating complex and security-related electronic and IT systems for the military, public authorities and companies. ESG is a leading international system and software company based in Munich, Germany. It provides development and service processes for software-intensive, complex, high-tech and security-related products.

“We are excited by this collaboration with Bell,” states Daniel Högemann, project manager mission and new generation helicopters, ESG. “By pairing our mission management system with the reliable Bell 429, we believe we can provide the best parapublic solution to the region.”

With over 400 Bell 429s around the globe and 100 located in Europe, the aircraft has been one of the most successful light twin helicopters on the market since its certification in 2009. The Bell 429 is a proven system that is operated by premier law enforcement and for search and rescue missions with customers in Europe and around the world.

For police and military missions, the surveillance system is one of the most important items of equipment on the helicopter. In order to conduct the mission, the customer must have confidence that the system can perform in an emergency situation. ESG's mission management system integrates mission equipment. Customers will be able to have the option to purchase the ESG system with their new helicopter directly from Bell together as one purchase.