The Helicopter is overall designed for trips of 50 to 500 nautical miles, and has a 5-blade main rotor powered by twin engines, digital controls and Garmin G5000H screen, with planned seating for 16-20 people.

[9] At approximately 11:48 AM Central Daylight Time on July 6, 2016, the prototype crashed during a test flight near Italy, Texas, killing the two occupants.

[12] During flight testing of the prototype, a severe vibration in the main rotor lead to a sequence of events causing the break up of the aircraft.

In early 2019, two helicopters were to be tested in cold weather in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, as a third prototype was to validate performance in snowy north continental US.

[18] Bell sought to sell the 525 to the United Kingdom for its New Medium Helicopter program, which aims to replace the RAF's Puma (SA330) helicopters,[19] but Bell's proposal did not make it past the pre-qualification questionnaire stage for the UK's medium lift programme.

It will be constructed primarily from composites and metal and is to be the first commercial helicopter to incorporate fly-by-wire flight controls,[22] with tactile cues.

[23] The 525 is powered by a pair of GE CT7-2F1 turboshaft engines, with a new composite five-blade main rotor system.

[24][25] The Bell 525 is designed to fit the emerging "Super-Medium" size category suited ideally to support offshore oil and gas operations.

[27] Data from "Bell 525",[28] Flight Global[29]General characteristics Performance Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era