AgustaWestland is acquiring Bell Helicopter’s 25-percent stake in the AB139 twin-turbine helicopter program. “Consolidating the ownership of the AB139 will provide a single face to the customer, leading to increased sales and greater customer satisfaction related to follow-on support services,” said AgustaWestland CEO Giuseppi Orsi. Bell Helicopter CEO Michael Redenbaugh said, “Bell and Agusta have been partners on numerous programs since 1952, and indeed this partnership continues today on the BA609 tiltrotor.” The two companies are also partnered on the Model 412 helicopter and the U.S. Presidential fleet of US101s. The realignment allows AgustaWestland to increase its interest in the BA609 from the original 25 percent to a maximum of 40 percent by boosting its investments during the development phase, according to Bell.