Friday
November 11, 2005
US Helicopter Delivers First TH-1H Helicopter to USAF
Ozark, Ala., USA ( Bell Helicopters Press Release) -
US Helicopter, a division of Bell Aerospace
Services Inc., announced the delivery of the first TH-1H training helicopter
to the U.S. Air Force. Bell Aero is a subsidiary of Bell Helicopter, a
Textron company
The official rollout ceremony was held at Randolph AFB, Texas, on Saturday,
Nov. 5, 2005. This is the first of twenty-four TH-1H aircraft expected to
be fielded over the next four years for the Air Education and Training
Command (AETC). AETC is the center for USAF helicopter training, located at
Fort Rucker, Ozark, Alabama.
Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems is the prime contractor under the USAF
FAST program and is responsible for systems integration and program
management. US Helicopter, as a subcontractor, performed the aircraft
refurbishment, modification, and flight test at its Ozark, Alabama,
facility.
The TH-1H starts with the proven, highly regarded Bell UH-1H helicopter,
widely known as the "Huey." The primary upgrade is the Bell Huey II kit,
which encompasses a more powerful engine, along with new dynamic components,
nose and tailboom. The cockpit and mission equipment upgrades include
changing from analog to a digital cockpit (round dials to flat screens),
crashworthy seats, and total rewiring.
The TH-1H Team also includes TCS Design and Management Services; Bell
Helicopter; McTurbine, Inc.; Astronautics Corp of America; and Simula.
These modifications literally transform a legacy aircraft into a
state-of-the-art training platform compatible with future operational
aircraft. This undergraduate training platform develops multiple pilot
skills and transitions those skills faster across multiple aircraft.
This is just another example of how the proud legacy of the Huey continues
to live on. Over the last fifteen years, US Helicopter has refurbished
over four hundred UH-1 helicopters and installed over one hundred Huey II
upgrade kits. In June 2005, US Helicopter was acquired by Bell Aerospace
Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Helicopter. Bell Aerospace
Services provides turnkey aviation maintenance and support services
throughout the world.
Bell Helicopter 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 9,000 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.
H-1 Huey
Bell timeline
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