Bell UH-1Y Venom

The Bell UH-1Y Venom[3] (also called Super Huey)[4] is a twin-engine, 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", based on the NATO phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter.[5]

UH-1Y Venom
A UH-1Y takes off from the deck of USS San Diego
Role Utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight 20 December 2001[1]
Introduction 8 August 2008
Status In service
Primary user United States Marine Corps
Produced 2001–present
Number built 160[2]
Developed from Bell UH-1N Twin Huey

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. After entering service in 2008, the UH-1Y replaced the USMC's aging fleet of UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters, first introduced in the early 1970s. In 2008 it entered full-rate production,[6] with deliveries to the Marines to be completed in late 2018.[7]

Development

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.

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.[8][9] 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, drivetrain, avionics architecture, software, controls, and displays for over 84% identical components.[10][11]

A UH-1Y during sea trials aboard USS Bataan

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 (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 returns 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 build them as new helicopters.[6][12]

The Y-model updates an airframe that has been central to 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 two to four Hueys have been deployed with detachments of four to eight Cobras. The forward-mounted weaponry of the Cobra combined with the door guns of the Huey provides a 240° field of fire.

Bell delivered two UH-1Ys to the U.S. Marine Corps in February 2008[13] and full-rate production was begun in September 2009.[14] The Marine Corps plans to buy 160 Y-models to replace their inventory of N-models.[15]

Design
UH-1Y refueling at night

The UH-1Y variant modernizes the UH-1 design. Its most noticeable upgrade over previous variants is a four-blade, all-composite rotor system designed to withstand up to 23 mm rounds. A 21-inch (530 mm) fuselage extension just forward of the main door has been added for more capacity. The UH-1Y features upgraded engines and transmissions, a digital cockpit with flat-panel multifunctional displays, and an 84% parts commonality with the AH-1Z. Compared to the UH-1N, the Y-model has an increased payload, almost 50% greater range, a reduction in vibration, and higher cruising speed.[10][16][17]

Operational history

The UH-1Y and AH-1Z completed their developmental testing in early 2006.[18] 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.[19] In February 2008, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z began the second and final portion of testing.[20]

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.[21][22] The UH-1N Twin Huey was retired by the Marines in August 2014, making the UH-1Y the Marine Corps' standard utility helicopter.[23]

Potential operators

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.[24] In December 2019, an order for eight UH-1Y helicopters was approved.[25][26]

Operators
A UH-1Y from HMLA-367 and an AH-1W SuperCobra in Afghanistan, November 2009
 Czech Republic
 United States

Specifications
UH-1Y firing rockets

Data from Bell UH-1Y guide,[10] International Directory of Civil Aircraft[35]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 6,660 lb (3,021 kg) / up to ten crashworthy passenger seats / six litters / equivalent cargo[36]
  • 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[37]

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 seconds
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) +
  • Rate of climb: 2,520 ft/min (12.8 m/s)

Armament

See also

Related development

References
  1. "UH-1Y Achieves First Flight". Archived from the original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2007.
  2. "AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom Helicopters". Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  3. DoD 4120-15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles Archived 25 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine. US DoD, 12 May 2004.
  4. GE Aviation (2008). "Bell UH-1Y Super Huey". 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. "UH-1Ys to be built new starting in 06" Archived 6 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. US Navy, 22 April 2005.
  7. Bell to finish Marine Corps deliveries of UH-1Y Venom by end of 2018 Archived 30 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International. 17 May 2018.
  8. Donald, David. Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRTime Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-880588-76-5.
  9. Bishop, Chris. Huey Cobra Gunships. Osprey Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-84176-984-3.
  10. "Bell UH-1Y pocket guide" (PDF). bellhelicopter.com. Bell Helicopter. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  11. Rotorbreeze Magazine. Bell, October 2006.
  12. Bruno, Michael. "Wynne Approves Buy Of New UH-1Y Hueys". Aviation Week, 25 April 2005.
  13. "Bell H-1 upgrade program delivers two UH-1Y and one AH-1Z in February" Archived 28 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Bell Helicopter, 3 March 2008.
  14. "Program Insider: H-1 Update". Rotor & Wing. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
  15. Butler, Amy. "U.S. Marines Propose AH-1Z Production Boost" Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation Week, 13 October 2010. Retrieved: 17 August 2017.
  16. "The helicopter huey by the Bell Helicopters". Huey Helicopter Review. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  17. UH-1Y page Archived 25 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Bell.
  18. Milliman, John. "AH-1Z/UH-1Y complete developmental testing" Archived 28 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. US Navy, 1 March 2006.
  19. "AH-1Z/UH-1Y Start OPEVAL". US Navy, 6 May 2006.
  20. Warwick, Graham. "US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y enter final test phase" Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Flightglobal.com, 20 February 2008.
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