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Bell UH-1Y Venom

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For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey family
UH-1Y Venom
Bell UH-1Y during sea trials aboard USS Bataan
Role Utility helicopter
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight 20 December 2001[1]
Introduction 2008+
Status In production
Primary user United States Marine Corps
Developed from UH-1N Twin Huey

The Bell UH-1Y Venom[2] (also called Super Huey[3]) is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter, part of the United States Marine Corps' H-1 upgrade program. The helicopter is also called Yankee for its variant letter.[4]

The UH-1Y is currently in low-rate production to replace the USMC's aging fleet of UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters first introduced in the early 1970s. The UH-1Y was to have been remanufactured from UH-1Ns, but in 2005 it was approved for the aircraft to be built as new.[5]

Development

In 1996, the USMC launched the H-1 upgrade program by signing a contract with Bell Helicopter for upgrading 100 UH-1Ns into UH-1Ys and upgrading 180 AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs.[6][7] The H-1 program created completely modernized attack and utility helicopters with considerable design commonality to reduce operating costs. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z share a common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drive train, avionics architecture, software, controls and displays for over 84% identical components.[8][9]

The Y-model updates an airframe that has been central to the Marine Corps aviation in Iraq. The Huey has many mission requirements including command and control (C2), escort, reconnaissance, troop transport, medical evacuation and close air support. Typically detachments of 2-4 Hueys have been deployed with detachments of 4-8 Cobras. The forward mounted weaponry of the Cobra combined with the door guns of the Huey provides a 240° field of fire.

Over the years new avionics and radios, in addition to modern door guns and safety upgrades, have greatly increased the UH-1N's empty weight. With a maximum speed of approximately 100 knots (190 km/h) and an inability to lift much more than its own crew, fuel and ammunition, the UH-1N, while useful, is limited in its utility.

A UH-1Y of HMLAT-303 at Camp Pendleton, 2008

The Y-model upgrades pilot avionics to a glass cockpit, adds further safety modifications and provides the UH-1 with a modern FLIR system. However, the biggest improvement is an increase in engine power. By replacing the engines and the two bladed rotor system with four composite blades the Y-model will return the Huey to the utility role for which it was designed. Originally the UH-1Y was to have been remanufactured from UH-1N airframes, but in April 2005 approval was granted to be build them as new helicopters.[5][10]

According to Bell the Y-model will have 125% higher payload than the UH-1N, and almost 50% greater range and maximum cruise speed than the UH-1N.[11] The UH-1Y can keep up with the other helicopters it is supposed to be escorting rather than slowing them down and making them easier targets. The UH-1Y will have more power to maneuver aggressively and evasively. Ground forces commanders riding in the Y-model will have radios, fire power and the range to match the transport helicopters carrying their troops.

Bell delivered two UH-1Ys to the U.S. Marine Corps in February 2008.[12] As of September 2009, the UH-1Y is in full-rate production, with the Marine Corps expected to have 21 by the end of the year.[13]

Design

The UH-1Y variant modernizes the UH-1 design. Its most noticeable upgrade, as compared to previous variants, is a four-bladed, all-composite rotor system designed to withstand ballistics up to 23 mm. A 21-inch (530 mm) insert just forward of the main door has been installed for more capacity. The UH-1Y has upgraded engines and transmission, 170% increased payload over UH-1N, almost 50% greater range and maximum speed, a digital cockpit with flat panel multifunctional displays, and an 84% parts commonality with the AH-1Z.[8]

Operational history

A UH-1Y from HMLA-369 in Afghanistan, November 2009

The UH-1Y and AH-1Z completed their developmental testing in early 2006.[14] During the first quarter of 2006 the UH-1Ys were transferred to the Operational Test Unit at the NAS Patuxent River, where they began operational evaluation (OPEVAL) testing.[15] In February 2008, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z began the second and final portion of OPEVAL testing.[16]

On 8 August 2008, the Marine Corps certified the UH-1Y as operationally capable and was deployed for the first time in January 2009 as part of the aviation combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.[17][18] The Marine Corps plans to eventually buy 123 of the Y-model Hueys to replace their inventory of N-models,[19] with delivery of all aircraft to be complete by 2016.[20]

Operators

 United States

Specifications

UH-1Y firing rockets

Data from Bell UH-1Y guide,[8] The International Directory of Civil Aircraft[22]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One or two pilots, plus crew chief, other crew members as mission requires
  • Capacity: 6,660 lb (3,020 kg) including up to 10 crashworthy passenger seats, 6 litters or equivalent cargo[23]

Performance Armament

See also

Related development

References

  1. ^ "UH-1Y Achieves First Flight". Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  2. ^ DoD 4120-15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles. US DoD, 2004.
  3. ^ GE Aviation (2008). "Bell UH-1Y Super Huey". Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  4. ^ Jane's Information Group (2008). "Bell 205 (UH-1) - Bell UH-1Y Viper Upgrade (United States), Aircraft - Rotary-wing - Military". Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  5. ^ a b "UH-1Ys to be built new starting in 06". US Navy, 22 April 2005.
  6. ^ Donald, David. Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRTime Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-880588-76-5.
  7. ^ Bishop, Chris. Huey Cobra Gunships. Osprey Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-84176-984-3.
  8. ^ a b c Bell UH-1Y pocket guide. Bell Helicopter, March 2006. Retrieved: 20 January 2010.
  9. ^ Rotorbreeze Magazine. Bell, October 2006.
  10. ^ Bruno, Michael. "Wynne Approves Buy Of New UH-1Y Hueys". Aviation Week, 25 April 2005.
  11. ^ UH-1Y page. Bell.
  12. ^ "Bell H-1 upgrade program delivers two UH-1Y and one AH-1Z in February", Bell Helicopter, 3 March 2008.
  13. ^ "Program Insider: H-1 Update". Rotor & Wing Magazine. 1 September 2009.
  14. ^ Milliman, John. "AH-1Z/UH-1Y complete developmental testing". US Navy, 1 March 2006.
  15. ^ "AH-1Z/UH-1Y Start OPEVAL". US Navy, 6 May 2006.
  16. ^ Warwick, Graham. "US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y enter final test phase". Flightglobal.com, 20 February 2008.
  17. ^ Leland, Wendy (November–December 2008). "Airscoop". Naval Aviation News. United States Department of the Navy. p. 7. Retrieved 2008-11-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  18. ^ Morris, Jefferson. "Marine Corps Declares UH-1Y Operational". Aviation Week, 18 August 2008.
  19. ^ Cavas, Chris (15 August 2008). "Corps certifies UH-1Y; January deployment eyed". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  20. ^ Morris, Jefferson (18 August 2008). "Marine Corps Declares UH-1Y Operational". Aviation Week. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  21. ^ Vendrasco, Stephanie (2008). "Marines declare UH-1Y operational". US Navy. Retrieved 2008-08-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Frawley, Gerard: The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004, p. 44. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7
  23. ^ http://www.army-technology.com/projects/uh_1y/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to UH-1 Twin Huey.
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