The Bell UH-1Y Venom[3] (also called Super Huey)[4] is a twin-engine, 4-blade, medium-sized utility helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under the H-1 upgrade program of the United States Marine Corps. One of the latest members of the numerous Huey family, the UH-1Y is also called "Yankee" for the NATO phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter.[5] Bell was originally to produce UH-1Ys by rebuilding UH-1Ns, but ultimately used new built airframes.
In 2008, the UH-1Y entered service with the Marine Corps and also began full-rate production.[6] The new UH-1 variant replaced the USMC's UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters, introduced in the early 1970s. The helicopter (and related Bell AH-1Z Viper) were ordered by the Czech Republic and the helicopter is in production in the early 2020s. Visually, some features that differentiate the Y model are a slightly longer cabin and larger twin engine exhaust vents compared to the earlier N model.
Development
Over the years, new avionics and radios, modern door guns, and safety upgrades have greatly increased the UH-1N's empty weight. With a maximum speed around 100 knots (190 km/h) and an inability to lift much more than its own crew, fuel, and ammunition, the UH-1N had limited capabilities as a transport.[citation needed]
In 1996, the United States Marine Corps launched the H-1 upgrade program. A contract was signed with Bell Helicopter for upgrading 100 UH-1Ns into UH-1Ys and upgrading 180 AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs.[7][8] The H-1 program modernized utility and attack helicopters with considerable design commonality to reduce operating costs. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z share a common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drivetrain, avionics architecture, software, controls, and displays for over 84% identical components.[9][10]
Production
Originally, the UH-1Y was to be remanufactured from UH-1N airframes, but in April 2005, approval was granted to build them as new helicopters.[6][11] Bell delivered two UH-1Ys to the U.S. Marine Corps in February 2008,[12] and full-rate production was begun in September 2009.[13] The Marine Corps purchased 160 Y-models to replace their inventory of N-models.[14] The final UH-1Y for the U.S. Marine Corps[15] was delivered in January 2019.[16] In 2021, the production line restarted to produce the UH-1Ys for the Czech Republic's order.[17] 160 have been produced with 8 more being made for the aforementioned Czech order as of 2022.[1]
Design
The UH-1Y variant modernizes the UH-1 design. The Y-model upgrades pilot avionics to a glass cockpit, adds further safety modifications, and provides the UH-1 with a modern forward-looking infrared system. Engine power was increased. Its most noticeable upgrade over previous variants is a four-blade, all-composite rotor system designed to withstand up to 23 mm rounds. By replacing the engines and the two-bladed rotor system with four composite blades, the Y-model returns the Huey to the utility role for which it was designed.
A 21-inch (530 mm) fuselage extension just forward of the main door was added for more capacity. The UH-1Y features upgraded transmissions and a digital cockpit with flat-panel multifunctional displays. Compared to the UH-1N, the Y-model has an increased payload, almost 50% greater range, a reduction in vibration, and higher cruising speed.[9][18][19]
The weapons used on the UH-1Y includes a variety of rocket and machine guns. This includes 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets on the external hardpoints, and LAU-68, LAU-61, M260, and M261 launchers with Mk 66 rockets (Hydra 70). Machine guns include M240D, GAU-16 and GAU-17A.[20]
Operational history
The UH-1Y and AH-1Z completed their developmental testing in early 2006.[21] During the first quarter of 2006 the UH-1Ys were transferred to the Operational Test Unit at NAS Patuxent River, where they began operational evaluation testing.[22] In February 2008, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z began the second and final portion of testing.[23] On 8 August 2008, the Marine Corps certified the UH-1Y as operationally capable, and it was deployed for the first time in January 2009 as part of the aviation combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.[24][25] The UH-1N Twin Huey was retired by the Marines in August 2014, making the UH-1Y the Marine Corps' standard utility helicopter.[26]
On 11 October 2017, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the United States Congress of the potential sale of 12 UH-1Ys and related systems and support to the Czech Republic for a cost of US$575 million.[27] In December 2019, an order for eight UH-1Y helicopters was approved.[28][29] The first Czech UH-Y was delivered in 2023.[30]
^ a bRS (22 July 2021). "Bell resumes production UH-1Y for Czech Air Force". scramble.nl. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
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^ a b"UH-1Ys to be built new starting in 06". Naval Air Systems Command. 22 April 2005. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
^Donald, David (15 January 2015). Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRtime oublishing. ISBN 9781880588765.
^Bishop, Chris (29 August 2006). Huey Cobra Gunships. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781841769844.
^ a b c"Bell UH-1Y pocket guide" (PDF). Bell Helicopter. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
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^Nelms, Douglas (1 September 2009). "Program Insider: H-1 Update". Rotor & Wing. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
^Butler, Amy (13 October 2010). "U.S. Marines Propose AH-1Z Production Boost". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
^Reim, Garrett (17 May 2018). "Bell to finish Marine Corps deliveries of UH-1Y Venom by end of 2018". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019.
^"U.S. Marines receives final production-era UH-1Y Venom".
^Ganta, Himaja (20 July 2021). "Bell Textron begins UH-1Y helicopter production for Czech Republic". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
^"The helicopter huey by the Bell Helicopters". Huey Helicopter Review. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
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^Milliman, John (1 March 2006). "AH-1Z/UH-1Y complete developmental testing". U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
^"AH-1Z/UH-1Y Start OPEVAL". U.S Navy Naval Air Systems Command. 9 May 2006. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
^Warwick, Graham (22 February 2008). "PICTURES: US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y enter final test phase". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009.
^Leland, Wendy (November–December 2008). "Airscoop". Naval Aviation News. United States Department of the Navy. p. 7. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010.
^Morris, Jefferson. "Marine Corps Declares UH-1Y Operational"[dead link]. Aviation Week, 18 August 2008.
^"Final Flight of UH-1N Huey for HMLA-773". helis.com. 3 September 2014. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021.
^"Czech Republic – UH-1Y Utility Helicopters". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
^Lazarová, Daniela (22 August 2019). "Czech Army to acquire Viper and Venom helicopters from US". Radio Praha. Český rozhlas. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
^ a bParsons, Dan (16 December 2019). "Czech H-1 deal will keep Bell's production line open at least through 2024". Vertical Magazine. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
^"The Czech Republic Receives Its First UH-1Y Venom Utility Helicopter". Overt Defense. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
^Bahounkova, Petra (18 August 2022). "Černochová: Spojené státy dají Česku zdarma osm vrtulníků" [Černochová: The United States will give the Czech Republic eight helicopters for free]. ČT24 (in Czech). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
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^Frawley, Gerard (2003). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft 2003/2004. Airlife Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 9781875671588.
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^Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bell UH-1Y Venom.
UH-1Y Venom page on BellHelicopter.com
UH-1Y Venom page on US Navy RDA site
UH-1Y Venom page on GlobalSecurity.org
"US Navy proposes more UH-1Ys, AH-1Zs despite test phase setback", Flight International, 22 August 2008.