At the same time, despite the Army's preference for the AAFSS–for which Bell Helicopter was not selected to compete–Bell stuck with their own idea of a smaller and lighter gunship.
Ao mesmo tempo, a pesar da preferencia do Exército polo AAFSS, no cal Bell Helicopter non foi seleccionada para competir, Bell quedou coa súa propia idea dun helicóptero de ataque máis pequeno e lixeiro.