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Bell UH-1Y Venom

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The Bell UH-1Y Venom[3] (also called Super Huey)[4] is a twin-engine, 4-blade, medium-sized utility helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under the H-1 upgrade program of the United States Marine Corps. One of the latest members of the numerous Huey family, the UH-1Y is also called "Yankee" for the NATO phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter.[5] Bell was originally to produce UH-1Ys by rebuilding UH-1Ns, but ultimately used new built airframes.

UH-1Y Venom
A UH-1Y in flight
General information
TypeUtility helicopter
National originUnited States
ManufacturerBell Helicopter
StatusIn service
Primary usersUnited States Marine Corps
Number built160[1]
History
Manufactured2001–present
Introduction date8 August 2008
First flight20 December 2001[2]
Developed fromBell UH-1N Twin Huey

In 2008, the UH-1Y entered service with the Marine Corps and also began full-rate production.[6] The new UH-1 variant replaced the USMC's UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters, introduced in the early 1970s. The helicopter (and related Bell AH-1Z Viper) were ordered by the Czech Republic and the helicopter is in production in the early 2020s. Visually, some features that differentiate the Y model are a slightly longer cabin and larger twin engine exhaust vents compared to the earlier N model.

Development

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A UH-1Y during sea trials aboard USS Bataan

Over the years, new avionics and radios, modern door guns, and safety upgrades have greatly increased the UH-1N's empty weight. With a maximum speed around 100 knots (190 km/h) and an inability to lift much more than its own crew, fuel, and ammunition, the UH-1N had limited capabilities as a transport.[citation needed]

In 1996, the United States Marine Corps launched the H-1 upgrade program. A contract was signed with Bell Helicopter for upgrading 100 UH-1Ns into UH-1Ys and upgrading 180 AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs.[7][8] The H-1 program modernized utility and attack helicopters with considerable design commonality to reduce operating costs. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z share a common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drivetrain, avionics architecture, software, controls, and displays for over 84% identical components.[9][10]

Production

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Originally, the UH-1Y was to be remanufactured from UH-1N airframes, but in April 2005, approval was granted to build them as new helicopters.[6][11] Bell delivered two UH-1Ys to the U.S. Marine Corps in February 2008,[12] and full-rate production was begun in September 2009.[13] The Marine Corps purchased 160 Y-models to replace their inventory of N-models.[14] The final UH-1Y for the U.S. Marine Corps[15] was delivered in January 2019.[16] In 2021, the production line restarted to produce the UH-1Ys for the Czech Republic's order.[17] 160 have been produced with 8 more being made for the aforementioned Czech order as of 2022.[1]

Design

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Rear view of UH-1Y showing the twin engine exhausts

The UH-1Y variant modernizes the UH-1 design. The Y-model upgrades pilot avionics to a glass cockpit, adds further safety modifications, and provides the UH-1 with a modern forward-looking infrared system. Engine power was increased. Its most noticeable upgrade over previous variants is a four-blade, all-composite rotor system designed to withstand up to 23 mm rounds. By replacing the engines and the two-bladed rotor system with four composite blades, the Y-model returns the Huey to the utility role for which it was designed.

A 21-inch (530 mm) fuselage extension just forward of the main door was added for more capacity. The UH-1Y features upgraded transmissions and a digital cockpit with flat-panel multifunctional displays. Compared to the UH-1N, the Y-model has an increased payload, almost 50% greater range, a reduction in vibration, and higher cruising speed.[9][18][19]

The weapons used on the UH-1Y includes a variety of rocket and machine guns. This includes 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets on the external hardpoints, and LAU-68, LAU-61, M260, and M261 launchers with Mk 66 rockets (Hydra 70). Machine guns include M240D, GAU-16 and GAU-17A.[20]

Operational history

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A UH-1Y from HMLA-367 and an AH-1W SuperCobra in Afghanistan, November 2009
 
UH-1Y operating in Hawaii

The UH-1Y and AH-1Z completed their developmental testing in early 2006.[21] During the first quarter of 2006 the UH-1Ys were transferred to the Operational Test Unit at NAS Patuxent River, where they began operational evaluation testing.[22] In February 2008, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z began the second and final portion of testing.[23] On 8 August 2008, the Marine Corps certified the UH-1Y as operationally capable, and it was deployed for the first time in January 2009 as part of the aviation combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.[24][25] The UH-1N Twin Huey was retired by the Marines in August 2014, making the UH-1Y the Marine Corps' standard utility helicopter.[26]

The first UH-1Ys arrived in Afghanistan in 2009.[27] During the Taliban raid on Camp Bastion, USMC UH-1Ys and AH-1W SuperCobras provided air support while under fire from Taliban insurgents. [28]

On 1 August, 2016, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit used UH-1Ys and AH-1Ws in strikes against ISIL in Libya during the American intervention in Libya and the Battle of Sirte.

On 11 October 2017, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the United States Congress of the potential sale of 12 UH-1Ys and related systems and support to the Czech Republic for a cost of US$575 million.[29] In December 2019, an order for eight UH-1Y helicopters was approved.[30][31] The first Czech UH-1Y was delivered in 2023.[32]

Operators

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The first UH-1Y delivered to the Czech Air Force on public display, during NATO Days in Ostrava airshow in September 2023
  Czech Republic
  • Czech Air Force (1 delivered, 7 remaining on order)[31] Another two to be transferred at no cost via the Excess Defense Articles program.[33]
  United States

Specifications

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Minigun and Hydra rocket launcher on UH-1Y
 
UH-1Y firing rockets
 
UH-1Y operating from the USS Bataan (LHD-5)

Data from Bell UH-1Y guide,[9] International Directory of Civil Aircraft[43]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (pilot and co-pilot)
  • Capacity: 6,660 lb (3,021 kg) / up to ten crashworthy passenger seats / six litters / equivalent cargo[44]
  • Length: 58 ft 4 in (17.78 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 7 in (4.45 m)
  • Empty weight: 11,840 lb (5,371 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 18,500 lb (8,391 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,828 shp (1,363 kW) each for 2 minutes 30 seconds
1,546 hp (1,153 kW) continuous
  • Main rotor diameter: 48 ft 10 in (14.88 m)
  • Main rotor area: 1,808 sq ft (168.0 m2)
  • Blade section: Narramore[45]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 164 kn (189 mph, 304 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 158 kn (182 mph, 293 km/h)
  • Never exceed speed: 198 kn (228 mph, 367 km/h)
  • Combat range: 130 nmi (150 mi, 240 km) with 2,182 lb (990 kg) payload
  • Endurance: 3 hours 18 minutes
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) +
  • Rate of climb: 2,520 ft/min (12.8 m/s)

Armament

See also

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UH-1Y

Related development

References

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  1. ^ a b RS (22 July 2021). "Bell resumes production UH-1Y for Czech Air Force". scramble.nl. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  2. ^ "UH-1Y Achieves First Flight". Archived from the original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2007.
  3. ^ "Model Designation of Military Vehicles" (PDF). U.S. DoD Defense Technical Information Center. 12 May 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2007.
  4. ^ "Bell UH-1Y Super Huey". GE Aviation. 2008. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  5. ^ Jane's Information Group (2008). "Bell 205 (UH-1) – Bell UH-1Y Viper Upgrade (United States), Aircraft – Rotary-wing – Military". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013.
  6. ^ a b "UH-1Ys to be built new starting in 06". Naval Air Systems Command. 22 April 2005. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
  7. ^ Donald, David (15 January 2015). Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRtime oublishing. ISBN 9781880588765.
  8. ^ Bishop, Chris (29 August 2006). Huey Cobra Gunships. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781841769844.
  9. ^ a b c "Bell UH-1Y pocket guide" (PDF). Bell Helicopter. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  10. ^ Rotorbreeze Magazine[permanent dead link]. Bell, October 2006.
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  13. ^ Nelms, Douglas (1 September 2009). "Program Insider: H-1 Update". Rotor & Wing. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
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  16. ^ "U.S. Marines receives final production-era UH-1Y Venom".
  17. ^ Ganta, Himaja (20 July 2021). "Bell Textron begins UH-1Y helicopter production for Czech Republic". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  18. ^ "The helicopter huey by the Bell Helicopters". Huey Helicopter Review. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
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  28. ^ https://theaviationgeekclub.com/usmc-ah-1w-and-uh-1y-crews-who-were-able-to-take-off-during-the-taliban-attack-on-camp-bastion-recall-providing-cas-to-the-airfield-defenders/
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