Bell 505 delivered to RJAF
The al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya (RJAF, Royal Jordanian Air Force) signed a purchase agreement for ten Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters on 6 July 2022.
During the Dubai Air Show 2023, Bell Textron Inc. announced the delivery of the first five helicopters to Jordan. The contract includes a simulator and a comprehensive computer-based training package to support basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training at the King Hussein Air College (KHAC) in Mafraq, Jordan.
“We are pleased to receive the first Bell 505 aircraft of our new fleet and look forward to providing our pilots with one of the best possible training platforms. These deliveries mark the expansion of our operations in the country and the growth of the capabilities of the Royal Jordanian Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Mohammad F. Hiyasat, Commander, Royal Jordanian Air Force.
The helicopters will replace the existing fleet of eleven underpowered and underperforming Robinson R44-II Raven that are currently operated by the Flight Instructor School (FIS) and 5 Squadron, both part of the KHAC in Mafraq. They use a fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and Safran Arrius 2R engine with a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).
It has not been revealed when the second group of five helicopters will be delivered.
Credit photo (just illustrative): Bell Trexton