N49 - Bell 429 Global Ranger

RAN N49 Bell 429 Global Ranger

Raytheon Australia accepted its first Bell 429 helicopters for the RAN s Retention and Motivation Initiative 2 (RMI 2) Program in February 2012 three A109E Power aircraft provided by the company under its original RMI contract. Under a the $26 million four-year contract signed in September 2011, Raytheon Australia is providing the Navy with three new build Bell 429 helicopters for 1,500 tasking hours per annum. In August 2015 a fourth helicopter was delivered.

The Royal Australian Navy marked the introduction of the Bell 429 helicopter into service with a ceremony held by their operating unit 723 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross on 5th June 2012

The RMI arrangement provides the Navy with supported aircraft to maintain and develop the skills of junior RAN aircrew prior to flying operational helicopters.

Operating since 2007, the Retention and Motivation Initiative aims to provide the Navy with contractor supported aircraft to allow junior qualified aircrew to consolidate and enhance their skills prior to flying operational helicopters.

ADF.Serial	Code	CN	Australian Civil Registration	Canadian Civil Registrations	US Civil Registration	History
N49-047	047	57047	VH-NPP	C-GFNO, C-GLCV	N455KB	C-GFNO Bell Canada, C-GLCV Bell Helicopter Textron, 11/11/2012 N455KB Bell Helicopters test, 23/02/2012 VH-NPP Raytheon Australia, 05/06/2012 Inducted into service as N49-047, In service 723 Squadron as Medusa 47, RAN FAA 02/2019 Sold to New Zealand Police Force
N49-048	048	57048	VH-NPQ	C-GLZK, C-GLFX	N455MB	C-GLZK Bell Canada, C-GLFX Bell Helicopter Textron, 11/12/2011 N455MB Bell Helicopters test, 20/03/2012 VH-NPQ Raytheon Australia, 05/06/2012 Inducted into service as N49-048, In service 723 Squadron as Medusa 48, RAN FAA 02/2019 Sold to New Zealand Police Force
N49-049	049	57049	VH-NPR	C-GFNO, C-GLIK	N455NB	C-GFNO Bell Canada, C-GLIK Bell Helicopter Textron, 11/12/2011 N455NB Bell Helicopters test, 20/03/2012 VH-NPR Raytheon Australia, 05/06/2012 Inducted into service as N49-049, In service 723 Squadron as Medusa 49, RAN FAA 02/2019 Sold to New Zealand Police Force
N49-218	050	57218	VH-POJ	C-GADH C-FDOW	N452P	C-GADH Bell Canada, C-FDOW Bell Helicopter Textron, N452P Bell Helicopters test, VH-POJ Raytheon Australia, 08/2015 received as N49-218 Carried Code 050 instead of 018 In service 723 Squadron as Medusa 50, RAN FAA 02/2019 Offered for sale

The Authors of this page are Brendan Cowan and Batman. Updated by Martin Edwards

Sources: Defence Media Centre, helis.com, rotorspot.nl , navy.gov.au , aussiemodeller.com.au , Messageboard Discussion

Emails: Graeme Kenderdine, Calum Gibson,

Converted to CMS 15th September 2025

Updated 15th March 2019