Thu, Sep 28, 2006
280 Attack, Utility Helos To Replace Aging USMC Fleet
Aero-News has learned Bell Helicopter delivered the first
production AH-1Z attack and UH-1Y utility helicopters Wednesday to
the US Department of Defense. The H-1 upgrade program calls for a
total of 280 upgraded attack helicopters and utility helicopters to
be delivered to the United States Marine Corps, providing
much-needed modernization for the Corps' aging fleet.
Among the many dignitaries attending the ceremony was Dr.
Delores Etter, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research,
Development and Acquisition, who said, "Today's rollout marks
another milestone for this program as we begin to arm our service
personnel with sorely needed modern equipment that will
substantially increase their combat effectiveness."
"Bell Helicopter is pleased to be able to provide critical
resources to our warfighters that will provide enhanced
capabilities while reducing operational costs in the field," said
Bell CEO Michael Redenbaugh.
The rollout of these first two production helicopters marks the
beginning of several years of equipping both test and evaluation
and operational squadrons with H-1 aircraft.
Bell states the H-1 program creates a completely modernized
attack and utility helicopter that have considerable design
commonality to reduce operating costs. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y share
common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drive train, avionics
architecture, software, controls and displays for over 84 percent
identical components.
This should drive down maintenance, says Bell, while improving
reliability for a cost savings of over $3B over the 30 year
program.
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