Weeks after laying off about 3% of its workforce<\/a>, Bell Textron Inc. was awarded a $43.2 million defense contract for parts needed to produce advanced helicopters.<\/p>\n The Fort Worth-based contractor will provide 32 gearboxes for Bell\u2019s military helicopters \u2014 AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom \u2014 developed under the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 program to upgrade its aging fleet.<\/p>\n The parts will be sold to the Czech Republic through the Foreign Military Sales program, according to the June 23 announcement<\/a> of the contract. The country released about $21 million \u2014 about 49% of the total amount \u2014 for the gearboxes when the contract was awarded.<\/p>\n The work will be performed at Bell\u2019s Fort Worth facility and completed by June 2030.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania-based Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support awarded the contract.<\/p>\n At the start of June, Bell officials announced that 285 employees were impacted by the reduction in force at the company\u2019s facilities in Fort Worth, Amarillo and Wichita, Kansas. Bell also announced a three-week furlough for certain employees that started June 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n Company officials said layoffs are difficult but necessary to align the company to market realities and position it for the long term.<\/p>\n In addition to producing the Viper and Venom helicopters, Bell is ramping up production<\/a> of the U.S. Army\u2019s MV-75 Cheyenne II aircraft as part of an accelerated initiative directed by Army leaders for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, or FLRAA, a next-generation aircraft with vertical-lift capabilities.<\/p>\n Bell is also investing $632 million<\/a> into a north Fort Worth factory for the MV-75 Cheyenne. A 450,000-square-foot building at 15100 N. Beach St. is being remodeled and expanded. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027, according to a filing<\/a> with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n