In 1998, Bell and Agusta entered into an agreement, setting up a joint venture, Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company (BAAC), to develop two aircraft: a conventional helicopter and a tiltrotor aircraft.
En 1998 Bell e Agusta chegaron a un acordo establecendo a empresa conxunta Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company (BAAC) para desenvolver dous aparellos: un helicóptero convencional e un tiltrotor.