U.S. Army put a Bell helicopter contract for the next generation armed reconnaissance helicopter, ARH. ARH designed the Arapaho-70, was to replace the current Army Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, which have been in operation since mid 1980 and is nearing the end of its useful life.
The $ 2.2 billion was for the purchase of 368 helicopters with deliveries from 2009 to 2013. The initial contract of $ 210 million, issued July 29, 2005, Bell Helicopters, cover system design and development phase until 2007.
