UNITED STATES - 6 AUGUST 2009
Three new Bell UH-1Y “Yankee” helicopters, attached to Marine Medium Helicopter (HMM) Squadron 163 (Reinforced) returned from a six-month deployment aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4) to Camp Pendleton, Aug. 1, 2009. HMM-163 was the first squadron to deploy with the new UH-1Y “Yankee” tactical utility helicopter as part of the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG).
The UH-1Y is the most significant upgrade ever made to the venerable and battle-proven UH-1N, more commonly known as the Huey. The Yankee also shares 84 percent parts commonality with the AH-1Z “Zulu” (also part of the H-1 Upgrade Program) that is replacing the AH-1W Super Cobra.
Reports from Marines using the new Yankee on deployment indicate its performance lived up expectations. Major Mark Angersbach, the senior pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), Detachment 3, said the Yankee gave them better performance and power margins over the November, allowing them to complete every utility mission they were designed to fly.
At the heart of the upgrade is a new four-bladed, all-composite and ballistically tolerant rotor system. Both aircraft have upgraded engines and transmissions, integrated digital cockpit featuring multifunction flat panels, crash-worthy seating for all crew and passengers, and increased payload capabilities.
“The Yankee really showed that it brings tremendous capabilities to the MAGTF, and we are expecting equally impressive results from its sibling, the AH-1Z, in another year or two," said Colonel Harry Hewson, Program Manager for the H-1 Acquisition Program Activity at NAVAIR. "This deployment was the culmination of years of hard work by a team of pros from Bell Helicopter, NAVAIR, and the Marine Corps.”
While significantly faster and having greater range than their predecessors, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y also reduce maintenance and logistics demands on Marine Corps maintainers through their parts commonality.
The Corps plans to field a total of 123 UH-1Ys and 226 AH-1Zs, with a final delivery date of 2021. The next Yankee is slated for delivery in Sept. with two more due in October. The next Zulu is expected to come off the line in December, bringing the total fleet to 21 Yankees and seven Zulus by the end of this year.
---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------
The Bell AH-1Z Attack Helicopter:
Weapons Capability
*AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
*AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
*70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods –up to 76 total
*AIM-9 Sidewinder*
(*A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
*LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
*Mk 77 fire bombs
*77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
*20 mm cannon
(With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat)
*MK 76 practice bombs
*BDU-33D/B practice bombs
*MK 106 practice bombs
Survivability & Crashworthiness
Like no other attack helicopter in the world, the AH-1Z survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:
*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:
*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.
Modern Technology
The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.
Best Targeting System
Target identification is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.
Maintenance
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the AH-1Z is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Maintenance features of the AH-1Z include:
*Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition” maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement
*Modern Cockpit
Identical front and rear cockpits provide the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, so there's no need to have separate training programs for front or back seaters.
The Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, allows pilot function without removing hands from the collective flight controls. Color displays are large, multifunctional and combined with the moving-map technology. Helmet mounted displays provide all the information required to engage the enemy more quickly and accurately.
H1 Program Commonality
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components.
Just as the AH-1W is being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z, the US Marine Corps Huey helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1 Program.
AH-1Z (US Marine Corps)
The Bell UH-1Y tactical utility helicopter:
Features
*125% higher payload than the UH-1N
*Almost 50% more range and maximum cruise speed than the UH-1N
*Sustainable high G loads in tactical or evasive maneuvers.
*Reduced vibration
*Fully integrated, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible “glass” cockpit
*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.
*Survivability & Crashworthiness
Like no other utility helicopter in the world, the UH-1Y survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:
*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:
*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.
Modern Technology
The UH-1Y is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together proven UH-1N airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401C engines. With fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the UH-1Y flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The UH-1Y is truly state-of-the-art.
Navigation Thermal Imaging System (NTIS)
FLIR Systems, Inc., BRITE Star NTIS is used on the nose of the aircraft for targeting and FLIR images that are displayed on selected multifunction displays (MFDs) are available to the pilots.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.
Maintainance
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the UH-1Y is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Mantenance features of the UH-1Y include:
*Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition” maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement
H1 Program Commonality
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z have 84% commonality with identical components.
Just as the UH-1N is being rebuilt and redesigned into the UH-1Y, the US Marine Corps Attack helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1Upgrade Program.
Supportable Design
Built for expedient maintenance in the field as well as extended periods of trouble-free operation, the UH-1Y offers industry leading reliability at the lowest-through-life cost.
Designed to withstand the harshest, most challenging environmental operation, the aircraft comes “wet assembled” and incorporates aluminum transmission cases to prevent corrosion. With unique semi-automatic main rotor blade folding capability, this helicopter moves and stores easily in confined areas.
The Legacy Lives On
With either new or remanufactured options for the existing fleet owner, the UH-1Y program greets prospective operators with tremendous ownership flexibility. As the aircraft of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, the four-bladed, twin engine UH-1Y meets the Corps' stringent requirements with its 70% life cycle cost saving against the competition.
The Bell legacy continues in the most modern tactical utility helicopter available...the UH-1Y.
UH-1Y (US Marine Corps)
UH-1Y firing rockets
Source: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
Three new Bell UH-1Y “Yankee” helicopters, attached to Marine Medium Helicopter (HMM) Squadron 163 (Reinforced) returned from a six-month deployment aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4) to Camp Pendleton, Aug. 1, 2009. HMM-163 was the first squadron to deploy with the new UH-1Y “Yankee” tactical utility helicopter as part of the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG).
The UH-1Y is the most significant upgrade ever made to the venerable and battle-proven UH-1N, more commonly known as the Huey. The Yankee also shares 84 percent parts commonality with the AH-1Z “Zulu” (also part of the H-1 Upgrade Program) that is replacing the AH-1W Super Cobra.
Reports from Marines using the new Yankee on deployment indicate its performance lived up expectations. Major Mark Angersbach, the senior pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), Detachment 3, said the Yankee gave them better performance and power margins over the November, allowing them to complete every utility mission they were designed to fly.
At the heart of the upgrade is a new four-bladed, all-composite and ballistically tolerant rotor system. Both aircraft have upgraded engines and transmissions, integrated digital cockpit featuring multifunction flat panels, crash-worthy seating for all crew and passengers, and increased payload capabilities.
“The Yankee really showed that it brings tremendous capabilities to the MAGTF, and we are expecting equally impressive results from its sibling, the AH-1Z, in another year or two," said Colonel Harry Hewson, Program Manager for the H-1 Acquisition Program Activity at NAVAIR. "This deployment was the culmination of years of hard work by a team of pros from Bell Helicopter, NAVAIR, and the Marine Corps.”
While significantly faster and having greater range than their predecessors, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y also reduce maintenance and logistics demands on Marine Corps maintainers through their parts commonality.
The Corps plans to field a total of 123 UH-1Ys and 226 AH-1Zs, with a final delivery date of 2021. The next Yankee is slated for delivery in Sept. with two more due in October. The next Zulu is expected to come off the line in December, bringing the total fleet to 21 Yankees and seven Zulus by the end of this year.
---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------
The Bell AH-1Z Attack Helicopter:
Weapons Capability
*AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
*AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
*70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods –up to 76 total
*AIM-9 Sidewinder*
(*A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
*LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
*Mk 77 fire bombs
*77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
*20 mm cannon
(With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat)
*MK 76 practice bombs
*BDU-33D/B practice bombs
*MK 106 practice bombs
Survivability & Crashworthiness
Like no other attack helicopter in the world, the AH-1Z survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:
*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:
*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.
Modern Technology
The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.
Best Targeting System
Target identification is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.
Maintenance
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the AH-1Z is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Maintenance features of the AH-1Z include:
*Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition” maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement
*Modern Cockpit
Identical front and rear cockpits provide the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, so there's no need to have separate training programs for front or back seaters.
The Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, allows pilot function without removing hands from the collective flight controls. Color displays are large, multifunctional and combined with the moving-map technology. Helmet mounted displays provide all the information required to engage the enemy more quickly and accurately.
H1 Program Commonality
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components.
Just as the AH-1W is being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z, the US Marine Corps Huey helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1 Program.
AH-1Z (US Marine Corps)
The Bell UH-1Y tactical utility helicopter:
Features
*125% higher payload than the UH-1N
*Almost 50% more range and maximum cruise speed than the UH-1N
*Sustainable high G loads in tactical or evasive maneuvers.
*Reduced vibration
*Fully integrated, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible “glass” cockpit
*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.
*Survivability & Crashworthiness
Like no other utility helicopter in the world, the UH-1Y survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:
*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:
*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.
Modern Technology
The UH-1Y is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together proven UH-1N airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401C engines. With fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the UH-1Y flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The UH-1Y is truly state-of-the-art.
Navigation Thermal Imaging System (NTIS)
FLIR Systems, Inc., BRITE Star NTIS is used on the nose of the aircraft for targeting and FLIR images that are displayed on selected multifunction displays (MFDs) are available to the pilots.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.
Maintainance
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the UH-1Y is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Mantenance features of the UH-1Y include:
*Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition” maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement
H1 Program Commonality
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z have 84% commonality with identical components.
Just as the UH-1N is being rebuilt and redesigned into the UH-1Y, the US Marine Corps Attack helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1Upgrade Program.
Supportable Design
Built for expedient maintenance in the field as well as extended periods of trouble-free operation, the UH-1Y offers industry leading reliability at the lowest-through-life cost.
Designed to withstand the harshest, most challenging environmental operation, the aircraft comes “wet assembled” and incorporates aluminum transmission cases to prevent corrosion. With unique semi-automatic main rotor blade folding capability, this helicopter moves and stores easily in confined areas.
The Legacy Lives On
With either new or remanufactured options for the existing fleet owner, the UH-1Y program greets prospective operators with tremendous ownership flexibility. As the aircraft of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, the four-bladed, twin engine UH-1Y meets the Corps' stringent requirements with its 70% life cycle cost saving against the competition.
The Bell legacy continues in the most modern tactical utility helicopter available...the UH-1Y.
UH-1Y (US Marine Corps)
UH-1Y firing rockets
Source: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
