Bell signed teaming agreement with Garmin on the development and integration of the autonomous vehicle management computer systems to support Bell’s vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, Bell announced Wednesday. Garmin systems will provide enhanced safety and situational awareness in all weather conditions, said Garmin vice president of aviation marketing and sales Carl Wolf.

“As a demonstrated and trusted innovator in the avionics industry, we look forward to leveraging our decades of experience into autonomous systems to deliver an innovative solution to this exciting, emerging market,” he said. 

Under the deal, Bell will lead the design, development, and production of VTOL systems, while Garmin will lead the design, development, and production of the avionics hardware and software needed for original design manufacturer vehicle management, including primary flight information, navigation/communication, flight guidance, and flight management systems.

As previously announced, Safran will provide the hybrid propulsion system for the aircraft, and Bell indicated earlier this year that the system would be hybrid electric. Safran said it has been exploring potential hybrid solutions for “several years.”