By Doug Cameron 

Bristow Group Inc. has taken the first step to acquiring tilt-rotors, tapping a technology used by the U.S. Marine Corps for vehicles that can fly like a plane and hover like a helicopter, for use in its core businesses of transporting energy workers and search and rescue.

Houston, Tx-based Bristow said Tuesday that it had secured purchase rights on the new AW609 aircraft being developed by AgustaWestland, and signed an exclusive development deal with the Italian company to explore how the aircraft could enter service later in the decade.

The announcement came alongside a flurry of orders at the helicopter industry's main annual trade show in Orlando, Fla. as manufacturers and operators adjust to a market hit by the slowdown in demand for transporting workers and goods for the oil and gas industry.

The push by energy companies to develop reserves in evermore remote regions spurred helicopter manufacturers such as units of Airbus Group NV, United Technologies Corp, Textron Inc. and AgustaWestland--part of Finmeccanica SpA--to develop larger aircraft that could fly further and faster than previous models.

Demand had created yearslong waiting lists for the largest models, even with factories running at full rate, and spurred deals including the $1.8 billion purchase of leasing specialist Milestone Aviation Group Ltd. by General Electric Co. last October.

Bristow's move into the tilt-rotor market takes that a step further, as the technology offers aircraft with more range and speed than helicopters. The company last month acquired control of an Australian regional airline, adding to its purchase of a small U.K. carrier, and believes tilt-rotors could be used for more regular passenger business.

AgustaWestland took control of the AW609 project from joint venture partner Bell Helicopters in 2011, and had secured commitments for around 60 undisclosed customers. It aims to certify the aircraft in 2017, and has been pushing regulators to explore new ways for it to operate from, for example, urban areas.

Bell, a unit of Textron, produces the Osprey range of tilt-rotors used by the U.S. military in partnership with Boeing Co. It is also developing a new tilt-rotor called the V-280 Valor for the Pentagon, setting up a potential competition with a rival team of Boeing and United Technology's Sikorsky unit.

Bristow, whose work is concentrated in the North Sea, West Africa and Australia, has played down the impact of the energy slowdown, with most focused on production rather than exploration. However, its shares have fallen by a quarter since the oil price slide started last June. Rival CHC Group Ltd. has fared worse, with the stock shedding more than three quarters of its value since its initial public offering in January 2014.

At the Orlando show, Bell announced commercial deals that could lead to the sale of more than 200 aircraft, helping to counter the weakness in a market hit by the slowdown in work from the oil and gas industry.

Air Methods Corp. agreed to buy 200 Bell 407GXPs for its core medical transport business, while Waypoint Leasing Ltd signed a tentative deal to buy 20 of the larger 525 Relentless helicopters.

Denver, Co-based Air Methods operates a fleet of more than 400 helicopters, with deliveries of the new six-passenger Bell 407GXP aircraft due to run for 10 years from 2016. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Ireland-based Waypoint Leasing would be one of the first customers for the new 525 Relentless, which is due to make its maiden flight this year. The helicopter can carry up to 20 passengers and fly further and faster than other Bell models. It is the company's prime offering for the oil and gas market, and is also aimed at the search and rescue and firefighting markets.

Write to Doug Cameron at doug.cameron@wsj.com

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