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.

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.

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.

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.textron.com