The Bell 450 was part of the Marines H-1 upgrade program to remanufacture the existing fleet of UH-1N utility helicopters into an advanced configuration featuring common engines and flight dynamics with the newly developed AH-1Z Viper. The program was originally envisioned as an upgrade, but it was later decided to manufacture new aircraft instead.
The prototype, a converted UH-1N airframe, first flew on December 20, 2001. Low-rate initial production began in October 2003, and the first production aircraft were delivered in 2005.
The Super Huey completed the transition from the UH-1N in West Coast Marine units in 2011, with HMLA-167 from MCAS New River becoming the first unit on the East Coast to receive them on September 29 of that year.
Bell delivered the 160th and final UH-1Y to the US Marines in April 2018.
The prototype, a converted UH-1N airframe, first flew on December 20, 2001. Low-rate initial production began in October 2003, and the first production aircraft were delivered in 2005.
The Super Huey completed the transition from the UH-1N in West Coast Marine units in 2011, with HMLA-167 from MCAS New River becoming the first unit on the East Coast to receive them on September 29 of that year.
Bell delivered the 160th and final UH-1Y to the US Marines in April 2018.
Specifications
| Engine | 2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C 1890 shp |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 + 10 |
| Length (m) | 17.78 |
| Height (m) | 4.5 |
| Blades | 4 |
| Rotor diam. (m) | 14.88 |
| Disc area (m2) | 168 |
| Weight (kgs) | Empty: 5370 Max: 8390 |
| Speed (km/h) | Cruise: 250 Max: 300 |
| Ceiling (m) | 6000 |
| Rate/Climb (m/min) | 768 |
Operators
| 2005- |  US Marine Corps |
| 2023- |  Vzdušné síly AČR |