Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Able Engineering & Component Services, Inc. to collaborate on Able Engineering developed repairs.

This new collaborative effort allows Bell Helicopter to take advantage of industry developed repair options for customers.

“The primary objective of Bell Helicopter’s Customer Support and Services organization is to keep our customers safely flying,” said Eric Cardinali, executive vice president, Customer Support and Services. “The collaboration with Able allows us to explore ways to reduce our customer’s operating cost and to reduce their downtime. We welcome the opportunity to engage in a relationship with Able that will expand upon our respective service capabilities.”

“The MOU between Bell Helicopter and Able charts a new relationship in our industry by combining Bell Helicopter’s immense product knowledge with Able’s resourceful aftermarket” said Lee Benson, CEO Able Engineering & Component Services. “We believe these solutions will be of tremendous benefit to our mutual customers.”

Over the next year, Bell Helicopter will begin discussions with Able to consider such initiatives as a Bell engineering review of repairs performed by Able to ensure they meet Bell Helicopter’s rigorous standards for safety, and the potential Bell Helicopter authorization of Able Engineering repairs. Bell Helicopter and Able will also look towards making such repairs available through Bell Helicopter Piney Flats and the Bell Helicopters authorized Customer Service Facility network.