DoD Says, 'Make It So.'
Bell Helicopter's H-1 Upgrade Program received a major boost
with a big "thumbs up" from the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB).
The H-1 Upgrade is a multi-billion dollar program to remanufacture
the US Marine Corps fleet of 180 AH-1W SuperCobra and 100 UH-1N
Huey utility helicopters to an advanced configuration featuring
common engines and flight dynamics. The decision specifically gives
the approval for Bell to remanufacture six UH-1N and three AH-1W
helicopters to the UH-1Y and AH-1Z standard during FY04.
A second LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) lot, currently
scheduled to be another six Hueys and three SuperCobras, should
enter production in FY05.
Upon completion, the AH-1W will become the AH-1Z and the UH-1N
will become the UH-1Y. Currently, three AH-1Z SuperCobras and two
UH-1Y helicopters are in flight text at the Naval Air Station,
Patuxent River (MD).
So far, the AH-1Z fleet has achieved approximately 900 flight
hours, and demonstrated an airspeed of 220 knots. The two UH-1Y
helicopters have accumulated approximately 500 flight hours with a
top speed of 196 knots.
"We couldn't be more delighted," exclaimed Bell CEO Mike
Redenbaugh, who acknowledged, "the DAB's decision to proceed with
the program is a recognition of the great work of hundreds of
Bell employees both here in Texas and at Patuxent River
working on the H-1 side-by-side with the
Marines."
The H-1 upgrades include an enormous amount of 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 utilizing 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 Upgrade Program.
The H-1 Upgrade Program will result in 280 essentially-new
aircraft for the US Marine Corps to operate -- beyond 2020. These
will be "zero-time" airframes remanufactured with the latest
technology, enabling a U.S. Government-approved 10,000 hour
life-span.
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.
Current advanced technology will provide the H-1 Fleet with
increased battlefield survivability and greater mission success
with fewer combat losses. In addition, the crashworthiness of both
the UH-1Y and the AH-1Z will be improved.
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