Upgraded UH-1. The UH-1Y
Ask anyone to picture a military helicopter, and chances are high they will visualize the Bell Helicopter Textron UH-1. That’s because it is the most successful military helicopter ever produced. It is the epitome of mission effectiveness, reliability and safety. Over 16,000 UH-1s have been produced, and have operated in challenging environments ranging from the rugged mountains of Bosnia, to the frozen vastness of Antarctica. Many of the first UH-1s delivered are still flying today, some airframes having logged over 30,000 hours. Militaries around the world continue to depend on this proven workhorse to execute combat assaults, evacuate wounded soldiers, transport senior staff, or complete any other helicopter mission you can imagine.
Over the past 40 years, the legendary UH-1 has continuously improved. From the unstoppable UH-1D, that changed the face of mobile warfare in Southeast Asia, and the highly versatile UH-1H that founded rotary wing aviation for militaries throughout the world, the UH-1 became the standard bearer around the globe. Now with the innovative four bladed, twin engined UH-1Y, Bell Helicopter Textron continues to redefine safety, ability and strength of character in military rotary wing aircraft.
The aircraft of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, the UH-1Y was selected over the competing aircraft because of its ability to meet all the Corps’ stringent requirements, and its 70% life cycle cost saving against the competition. The Marines will be procuring 100 UH-1Ys through an ingenious upgrade program to their existing UH-1N fleet. This innovative modernization approach will save the USMC over $1 billion.
The UH-1Y program offers the maximum acquisition flexibility to prospective operators. This sophisticated aircraft can be purchased as a “new production” program, or for current H-1 operators, their existing UH- 1 fleet can be remanufactured to the new UH-1Y configuration.
A familiar silhouette and proven heritage are about the only common features that the new UH-1Y shares with its famed predecessors. Bell Helicopter Textron has applied the latest aerospace technologies, and manufacturing processes to create the new UH-1Y tactical utility helicopter. It has a familiar proud profile, but the capability is altogether new. Dramatically improved survivability, maneuverability and supportability are designed in, using the most modern technologies available.
New four-bladed all-composite, ballistically tolerant main and tail rotor systems are the most noticeable changes that have been made. These airframe improvements, in conjunction with twin General Electric T700 engines, the 21st century “glass” cockpit crew-station, and other advanced systems, deliver substantial increases in tactical capability.
Payload is 125% higher than the UH-1N, allowing the commander to move more troops and materiel, with fewer sorties.
Range and maximum cruise speed have been increased by almost 50% over the UH-1N delivering combat assets to their objective faster.
High G loads can be sustained in tactical or evasive maneuvers.
Significantly reduced vibration provides pilots better responsiveness and agility.
A fully integrated, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible “glass” cockpit, maximizes situational awareness, by easily delivering critical navigation, threat, communications, and aircraft system data to the crew.
An advanced electronic warfare self protection (EWSP) suite, and ballistically hardened components protect it from a broad range of modern threat weapons.
A proven crashworthy fuel system to reduce the risk of fire and fully stroking energy attenuating seats to protect crewmembers and passengers from injury, in the event of a crash.
Designed For Supportability
Both the airframe and engines have been built with the maintainer in mind. The design facilitates field expedient maintenance as well as extended periods of maintenance free operation. Bell and its suppliers, known for their world-class support, are confident that the UH-1Y will continue the tradition of providing industry leading reliability at the lowest through life cost.
The UH-1Y is designed to withstand operation in the harshest, most challenging environments. The aircraft is “wet assembled” and incorporates aluminum transmission cases to prevent corrosion. The UH-1Y also incorporates a unique semi automatic main rotor blade folding capability that enables the aircraft to be easily moved and stored in confined areas.
The Legacy Lives On
The new UH-1Y brings together proven airframe reliability, a revolutionary composite four bladed main and tail rotor, impressive output of General Electric T700 series engines, and a fully integrated avionics and sensor package to provide the operator dramatic improvements in performance with significantly reduced support requirements and costs. As the preeminent tactical utility helicopter for the current and future battlefield, the UH-1Y provides significant improvements over current utility helicopters in multi-mission capability, and is available as a new production helicopter, or as an upgrade program to existing UH-1 fleets.
The Bell legacy continues with the most modern tactical utility helicopter available, the UH-1Y.
