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Over 45 different aircraft have flown proving VTOL and STOL capabilities, of which the V-22, Harrier "jump jet" family, Yakovlev Yak-38 and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets have proceeded to production. The aircraft's purpose is to take off and land vertically, but fly faster than a helicopter. Bell also stated that conventional helicopters were not part of Bell's future for military customers. However, in 2016, Bell preferred the 609 for commercial applications and kept the V-280 for military use only.
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As of 2015, Bell continues to perform contract work on the AW609 program while considering commercial potential for the bigger V-280 tiltrotor, where military production may reach larger numbers and hence reduce unit cost. The Italian government subsidized Agusta's development of a military tiltrotor, and as the AW609 has civilian aspects, the European Commission requires AgustaWestland to pay back progressive amounts per aircraft to the Italian state to avoid a distortion of competition. This led to the establishment of the Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company (BAAC), a joint venture between Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland, to develop and manufacture the aircraft. In September 1998, it was announced that Agusta had become a partner in the development program. In 1996, Bell and Boeing had formed a partnership to develop a civil tiltrotor aircraft however, in March 1998, it was announced that Boeing had pulled out of the project. The BA609 drew on experience gained from Bell's earlier experimental tiltrotor, the XV-15. An AW609 performing a flight display while in helicopter mode at the Paris Air Show 2007