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UH-1Y and AH-1Z
by Neville Dawson
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The US Marines’ helicopter force is aging on all levels, from CH-46 Sea Knights that are far older than their pilots, to the 1980s-era UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters that make up the Corps’ helicopter assault force. While the V-22 program has staggered along for almost 2 decades under accidents, technical delays, and cost issues, replacement of the USMC’s backbone helicopter assets has languished. Given the high-demand scenarios inherent in the current war, other efforts are clearly required.

Enter the H-1 program, the USMC’s plan to remanufacture 100 of the Marines’ old UH-1N Hueys and 180 of its AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters into advanced variants. The new versions would discard the signature 2-bladed rotors for modern 4-bladed improvements, redo the aircraft’s electronics, and add improved engines and weapons to offer a new level of performance. At least, that was the idea. It hasn’t quite worked out that way, and the H-1 program has encountered its own share of delays and issues. Nevertheless, the program survived its review, and continues on into the low-rate initial production stage and Initial Operational Capability.

DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This article covers the H-1 program’s rationale and changes, the upgrades involved in each helicopter model, program developments and annual budgets, the full timeline of contracts and key program developments, and related research sources.

Recent additions include updated budget figures, and some problems with newly-delivered helicopters, as they prepare for deployment to Afghanistan…

• The H-1 Helicopters
• The H-1 Program [updated]
• Contracts and Key Events, 1999-Present [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources

Subscribe here, and keep reading DII’s coverage of news and events involving the USMC H-1helicopter program. Our cross-linked article network and reference materials include: + A look at H-1 program goals, such as improved safety and reliability for both UH-1Y utility and AH-1Z attack helicopters, lower life-cycle costs, higher commonality, and enhanced combat performance features + Examination of major modifications including a 4-blade rotor system with blade fold, upgraded drive system and landing gear, pylon structural modifications and improved engine performance, upgraded avionics and targeting and strike capabilities + Program spending by fiscal year + Links to more DII articles on the topic including "$104.2M for Initial 7 Helicopters in H-1 Upgrade Program" + Numerous photos, and links to source materials Subscribe now to the Defense Industry Insider. DII covers hundreds of defense procurement programs, and gives thousands of links, expert analysis and the latest industry news.

 

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