A new and improved Bell 214ST helicopter will soon roll off the production lines with McDermott Aviation announcing the restart of manufacturing after more than 20 years for one of the main workhorses of disaster response worldwide.

McDermott Aviation is announcing the move at the Verticon aviation conference in Atlanta, US, this week. Australian-based McDermott Aviation claims the title of the world’s largest operator of the Bell 214 Series helicopters, which is a stable feature in many firefighting fleets in the Asia Pacific, Asia, North America and Europe.

McDermott Aviation’s ownership of the Type Certificate for the 214ST platform enables it to revamp it for the needs of modern aerial firefighting, heavy lift logistics and disaster response, and meet the certification requirements of operators worldwide.

The 214ST was originally conceived for military use at the request the Shah of Iran in the late 1970s. But with the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, Bell switched the concept to civil use and produced the first production models in 1982.

The 214ST proved to be a strong and reliable workhorse for heavy lift tasks, being capable of carrying up to 19 firefighters or passengers – ST is for Super Transport. The last 214ST was built in 1993, which means all the current aircraft in operation are well into their third decade of use or more.

Founder and President of McDermott Aviation, John McDermott, told Wildfire Today from Atlanta that his company have been improving and modifying the 214ST since its first purchase in 2012.

“They are now so popular that there are no more available on the market. We thought, well, we have got to manufacture spare parts for our helicopters why not just start building more helicopters? We have had massive support throughout the world for that. The aerial firefighting market is short of good utility helicopters that can actually do the work.”

We thought, well, we have got to manufacture spare parts for our helicopters why not just start building more helicopters?

john mcdermott

The McDermott 214ST is a twin-engine heavy utility helicopter currently powered by GE CT7 engines, capable of lifting external loads of up to 7900 pounds/3700kgs, with a cruise speed of up to 160 knots and a range exceeding 300 nautical miles. Future variants of the aircraft will incorporate the latest-generation Safran ANETO family power plants, delivering better performance, efficiency and reliability.

Delivery slots for a modified aircraft are expected to begin from 2027, with factory-new aircraft with the new airframes, engines and avionics targeted for 2028–2029 production timelines. Components will be made in various jurisdictions with the final assembly in San Bernadino, California. McDermott Aviation is based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland but plans to manufacture components there are stalled.

”We are manufacturing in America. We would like to manufacture in Australia too but CASA [Civil Aviation Safety Authority] make it so impossible to do anything,” McDermott told Wildfire Today.

“What’s particularly interesting about this program is that it’s essentially the rebirth of a tried and proven helicopter,” Mr McDermott said.

“As the new manufacturer, we have the unique advantage of being able to incorporate all the improvements that have emerged over more than 40 years of operational experience.”