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. 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.
| UH-1Y Venom | |
|---|---|
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| A UH-1Y in flight | |
| Role | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| First flight | 20 December 2001[1] |
| Introduction | 8 August 2008 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps Czech Republic |
| Produced | 2001–present |
| Number built | 160[2] |
| Developed from | Bell UH-1N Twin Huey |
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 edit
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 edit
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.[2]
Design edit
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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 edit
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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]
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.[27] In December 2019, an order for eight UH-1Y helicopters was approved.[28][29]The first Czech UH-Y was delivered in 2023.[30]
Operators edit
- Czech Air Force (1 delivered, 7 remaining on order)[29] Another two to be transferred at no cost via the Excess Defense Articles program.[31]
Specifications edit
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Data from Bell UH-1Y guide,[9] International Directory of Civil Aircraft[40]
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[41]
- 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[42]
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
- 2 external stations for 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 or APKWS II[43] rockets
- 2 pintle mounts for 7.62×51 mm M240D machine guns, .50 in (12.7 mm) GAU-21 machine guns, or 7.62×51 mm NATO GAU-17/A Gatling guns
See also edit
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- U.S. helicopter armament subsystems
- List of active United States military aircraft
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
Related development
References edit
External links edit
