![Assembly Of Bell Helicopter Jet Ranger X Leaving Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/05/Bell-Jet-Ranger-X-Helicopter-strefahelikoptera.blogspot.com_-e1470940683956.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Assembly Of Bell Helicopter Jet Ranger X Leaving Louisiana
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Bell Helicopter says it will assemble its 505 Jet Ranger X in Canada, and abandon plans to build the new-model aircraft at a $26.3 million Lafayette facility.
Louisiana financed the facility and was promised 115 jobs.
The Advocate reports Bell CEO and President Mitch Snyder said in a conference call Thursday an undetermined number of employees at the Lafayette plant will handle some of the cabin assembly for Bell's 505 Relentless helicopter, work that is being transferred from a plant in Amarillo, Texas.
Snyder said the Lafayette plant also will handle modifications to the Northrop Gruman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, a Bell project that is being moved from the company's facility in Ozark, Alabama.
Snyder said the company's decision to change directions was driven by a severe downturn worldwide in the demand for commercial aircraft.
(Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com)
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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