Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.
Atlas Aircraft Corporation comezou a desenvolver o tipo en 1984, e o seu desenvolvemento está moi relacionado co do helicóptero de transporte Atlas Oryx, xa que os dous están baseados no Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma e os seus traballos de deseño comezaron na mesma época.