OZARK — The Bell Helicopter operation here is closing in February 2023, a Bell spokesperson said Tuesday.

Defense contractor Bell Textron delivered the first of two Future Long Range Assault Aircraft virtual prototype simulator to the U.S. Army.

In 1941, Bell's helicopter development began with the Model 30, becoming a major part of the company after it was acquired by Textron in 1960.

Three others were killed aboard another Bell 407 helicopter operated by Classic Helicopters of Woods Cross, Utah. A fourth person on that helicopter was critically injured.

Earlier this month, a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in Rudraprayag when it was flying from Kedarnath to Guptkashi.