Tuesday
October 25, 2005
US Marines Take Delivery of First AH-1Z and UH-1Y
Aircraft will be used for Operational Evaluation training
FORTH WORTH, TX, USA ( Bell Helicopters Press Release) -
The US Marine Corps, through the
Naval Air Systems Command, accepted delivery, (Oct.15, 2005) of the first
AH-1Z Cobra and UH-1Y utility helicopters to enter the fleet. The two
aircraft, manufactured by Bell Helicopter, a Textron (NYSE: TXT) company are
part of the Marine's H-1 Upgrade Program, and had been operated by a joint
Bell-Government Integrated Test Team (ITT) during the Engineering
Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program. They will be
transferred to the Operational Test Unit at the Naval Air Station Patuxent
River, Maryland, to immediately begin Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL)
training.
The H-1 Program is a major upgrade to remanufacture the US Marine Corps
fleet of AH-1W SuperCobras to the AH-1Z and build completely new UH-1Y
utility helicopters to an advanced configuration featuring common engines
and flight dynamics. The program involves 180 AH-1W SuperCobra
helicopters. Upon completion, the AH-1W becomes the AH-1Z. UH-1N
helicopters will be phased out of service as new UH-1Y helicopters are built
and delivered.
The H-1 upgrades include an 84% commonality between the two aircraft
including engines (GE-T700 engines), four-blade all-composite, hingeless,
bearingless main rotor system and tail rotor, identical drive trains,
hydraulics and electrical distribution systems. By using common systems the
cost of the logistics support process for the two helicopters will be
dramatically reduced and will allow for vastly improved shipboard
operability. Far less critical shipboard space will be needed to store
spare parts and support equipment to support the two helicopters comprising
the H-1 Program.
The H-1 Program will result in 180 essentially newAH-1Z and 100
completely new UH-1Y aircraft for the US Marine Corps to operate beyond
2020. These will be "zero-time" airframes manufactured with the latest
technology. The H-1 Upgrade Program increases the speed, range,
maneuverability and lift capability of both aircraft. The savings in
maintenance staffing and training, ground handling and support equipment,
and spare parts inventories equates to billions of dollars over the life of
the program.
Another two H-1 aircraft will complete their modifications from the
Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) program into OPEVAL
aircraft by December 2005. OPEVAL is scheduled to begin during First
Quarter 2006 once training for both aircrews and maintainers is completed
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., is a
leading producer of commercial and military helicopters and the pioneer of
the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer
service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce of over
8,000 employees serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries.
Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with 44,000 employees
in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft,
industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative
solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful
brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming,
E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others.
news: Bell H-1 Program Update ( July 22,2002 )
AH-1Z Super Cobra
H-1 Huey
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