Bell UH-1N Twin Huey

The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter. A member of the extensive Huey family, it first flew in 1969. The CUH-1N Twin Huey (later CH-135 Twin Huey) was the original version, first ordered by the Canadian Forces.

UH-1N Iroquois
CH-135 Twin Huey
A UH-1N "Huey" from squadron VMM-261, (Reinforced), 2012
Role Utility helicopter
National origin United States/Canada
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight April 1969
Introduction October 1970
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Marine Corps (historical)
Canadian Forces (historical)
United States Navy (historical)
Produced 1969–1970s
Developed from Bell UH-1H Iroquois
Variants Bell 212
Bell UH-1Y Venom

The UH-1N has a 15-seat configuration, with one pilot and 14 passengers. In cargo configuration, it has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ (6.23 m³). An external load up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) can be carried. The UH-1N was later developed into the civilian Bell 212.[1]

Development

Based on the stretched-fuselage Bell 205, the Bell 212 was originally developed for the Canadian Forces (CF) under the designation CUH-1N Twin Huey. Later, the CF adopted a new designation system and the aircraft was redesignated CH-135 Twin Huey.[2] The CF approved the development of the aircraft on 1 May 1968[1] and purchased 50 aircraft, with deliveries commencing in May 1971.[3]

Canadian CH-135 Twin Huey serving with 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, 1985

The US military came very close to not procuring the Twin Huey. The purchase of the aircraft for US military use was opposed by the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee at the time, L. Mendel Rivers. Rivers took this position because the aircraft powerplant, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T was produced in Canada. The Liberal Canadian government of the time had not supported US involvement in Vietnam and had opposed US policies in Southeast Asia, as well as accepting US draft dodgers. Rivers was also concerned that procurement of the engines would result in a trade deficit situation with Canada. Congress only approved the purchase when it was assured that a US source would be found for the PT6T/T400 engines. As a result, the United States military services ordered 294 Bell 212s under the designation UH-1N, with deliveries commencing in 1970.[3]

Unlike in the CF, in US service, the UH-1N retained the official name "Iroquois" from the single–engined UH-1 variants, although US service personnel refer to the aircraft as a "Huey" or "Twin Huey".[4]

The Bell 412 is a further development of the Bell 212, the major difference being the composite, four-blade main rotor.[3] The UH-1N has also been developed into the upgraded, four-blade UH-1Y.[5]

Design

The UH-1N's main rotor is powered by a PT6T-3/T400 Turbo Twin Pac made up of two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 power sections that drive a single output shaft. They are capable of producing up to 1,342 kW (1,800 shp). Should one power section fail, the remaining section can deliver 671 kW (900 shp) for 30 minutes or 571 kW (765 shp), enabling the UH-1N to maintain cruise performance at maximum weight.[3]

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) modified a large number of their UH-1Ns with a stability control augmentation system, which provides servo inputs to the rotor head to help stabilize the aircraft during flight. This modification removed the gyroscopic "stabilization bar" on top of the main rotor head, instead relying on the computer system for stability.

Operational history
A USAF UH-1N during Exercise Wounded Eagle '83

From late 1970, the UH-1N re-equipped the USAF 20th Special Operations Squadron in Vietnam, replacing the single-engined UH-1F and UH-1P. Armed with miniguns (or 40 mm grenade launchers) and rocket pods, and painted camouflage with no US markings and only a Green Hornet insignia, the UH-1N supported Special Forces reconnaissance missions from Cam Ranh Bay.[6]

The United States Air Force employs UH-1Ns to fulfill its ICBM mission, providing a utility helicopter for transport between bases such as Minot AFB, Francis E. Warren AFB and Malmstrom AFB to missile launch sites in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado. The UH-1N is also used by the 36th Rescue Squadron (36 RQS) at Fairchild AFB, Washington, for conducting search-and-rescue and medical evacuation missions, as well as the 459th Airlift Squadron based at Yokota Air Base in Japan.

During the 1982 Falklands War, the Argentine Air Force deployed two Bell 212s to Goose Green grass airstrip from where they performed general support duties including the recovery of many downed pilots. By the end of the hostilities, both aircraft were still intact, but were dismantled by the Argentinians.[7][8]

UH-1Ns were used by the USMC during its 2003 invasion of Iraq. UH-1Ns provided reconnaissance and communications support to Marine ground troops. They were also called upon to provide close air support during heavy fighting in Nasiriyah.[9]

In August 2013, the Air Force said they were close to finalizing a plan to sustain and modernize their UH-1Ns for the next six to 10 years. The plan was to sustain the fleet, address flight and safety mandates, investigate modest improvements in capabilities, and reduce capability gaps. While the Huey is one of the oldest platforms in the service, keeping the fleet going was seen as having "minimal risk". Fleet-wide upgrades included night vision-compatible cockpit lighting, crash-worthy seats for flight engineers, and installation of a helicopter terrain-awareness warning system and traffic collision-avoidance device. The Air Force was also in the process of further acquiring ex-Marine Corps UH-1N models. The Marines were working out a strategy to transfer as many as 26 helicopters to the Air Force to either add them to their active fleet or keep them in reserve.[10]

The UH-1N has seen combat service in the Colombian armed conflict. On 16 October 2013, a UH-1N helicopter crashed in the northern La Guajira department.[11] The zone of the crash is a hotbed of FARC rebel activity.[12][13]

A Marine UH-1N on the flight line at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, 1982

The USMC planned to retire the UH-1N Iroquois by September 2014 after 43 years of service. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 was the last Marine squadron operating them, with their last deployment occurring in 2013, when two helicopters sailed on a Royal Netherlands Navy ship for an African Partnership Station deployment. Deliveries began to the Navy and Marine Corps in 1971, totaling 205 UH-1Ns and six VH-1N executive transports for Marine Helicopter Squadron One. The UH-1N was replaced by the upgraded UH-1Y Venom; 10 are remanufactured N-model airframes, after which the Marines decided to procure newly built Y-model airframes. Five unarmed HH-1N versions remained in use by the Marines until they were also replaced by UH-1Ys and retired in 2015, the only HH-1Ns remaining from 44 that were converted from 38 UH-1Ns and the six VH-1Ns.[14] The last combat deployment of the UH-1N by the Marines was to Afghanistan in 2010. The Marines retired the UH-1N during a "sundown ceremony" at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans on 28 August 2014.[15][16]

In March 2013, the U.S. Air Force operated 62 UH-1N Hueys with 25 providing security at ICBM sites, 19 stationed at Joint Base Andrews to evacuate Washington-based government officials in emergencies, and 18 used for testing and training. Since most were purchased in 1969, the Air Force had sought a replacement.[17] The first requirements were issued in 2007, but the process was repeatedly delayed.

On 24 September 2018, the Air Force declared a Boeing/Leonardo submission of their MH-139 version of the AgustaWestland AW139 the winner, beating out the Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin HH-60U version of the UH-60 Black Hawk and the Sierra Nevada Corporation upgraded UH-60L called the Force Hawk. Boeing was awarded an initial $375 million contract for four aircraft, with 84 helicopters planned at a total $2.38 billion program cost. The first operational aircraft is planned for delivery in 2021.[18][19]

Variants

Canadian variants
CUH-1N Twin Huey
Original Canadian Armed Forces designation for the UH-1N utility transport helicopter.[1][3]
CH-135 Twin Huey
Canadian version of the UH-1N.[1][3] Canada purchased 50 CH-135s with deliveries starting in 1971. The aircraft were retired from the Canadian Forces starting in 1996 and struck off strength in December 1999. 41 of the surviving CH-135s were acquired by the US government in December 1999 and transferred to the National Army of Colombia and Colombian National Police. At least one CH-135 was destroyed in combat. 135135 was transferred to the Colombian National Police and flown by the Dirección Antinarcóticos (DIRAN). It was destroyed on the ground by FARC rebels on 18 January 2002, following an incident in which it was forced down by gunfire. Two CH-135s are on display in museums, one at the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa and one at the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton.[20]

U.S. variants
U.S. Navy HH-1N cockpit
UH-1N Iroquois
Initial production model, used by the USAF, USN, and USMC. Over the years, the primary operators, the USMC has developed a number of upgrades for the aircraft including improved avionics, defenses, and a FLIR turret. The USAF planned to replace their UH-1Ns with the Common Vertical Lift Support Platform to support the service's ICBM activities,[21] but also examined a life extension for their current fleet.[22]
VH-1N
VIP transport configuration[1]
HH-1N
SAR variant.[1]
UH-1Y Venom
A UH-1N replacement and upgrade as part of the H-1 upgrade program for the USMC, designed to coincide with a similar upgrade for the AH-1W attack helicopter to AH-1Z Viper standard, with common engines and other major systems.

Italian-built variants
Agusta Bell AB 212 ASW of the Spanish Navy
Agusta-Bell AB 212
Civil or military utility transport version. Built under license in Italy by Agusta.
Agusta-Bell AB 212EW
Electronic warfare version for Turkey.
Agusta-Bell AB 212ASW
Anti-submarine warfare, anti-shipping version of the AB 212 helicopter, built under license in Italy by Agusta. Operated by the Italian Navy, Hellenic Navy and Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, Peru, Spain, Turkey, and Venezuela.[3]
The AB 212ASW is a Model 212 Twin Huey with a prominent radome above the cockpit. Early production had a dome-shaped radome, while later production had a flatter "drum" radome. A left side winch is used for dipping the Bendix ASQ-18 sonar. Other changes include structural reinforcement for a gross weight of 11,197 lbs (5080 kg), ECM, shipboard deck tie-down attachments and corrosion protection. Armament is two Mk 44 or Mk 46 torpedoes or two depth charges in the ASW role and four AS.12 air-to-surface wire-guided missiles for the anti-shipping role.[23][24]

Operators
A Peruvian AB 212 approaches the flight deck of the USS Thomas S. Gates
 Angola
 Argentina
 Austria
 Bahrain
 Bangladesh
 Colombia
An Italian Air Force AB.212, over Castiglione del Lago Italy
 Greece
 Guatemala
 Iran
 Lebanon
 Italy
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Panama
  • National Aeronaval Service[25]
A UH-1N with Philippine Army officers aboard, prepares to land
 Peru
 Philippines
 Saudi Arabia
 Spain
 Sri Lanka
 Sudan
 Thailand
A UH-1N Huey takes off Minot Air Force Base
 Tunisia
 Turkey
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Uruguay
 Venezuela
 Yemen

Former operators
Bell CH-135 of the Canadian Forces
 Brunei
 Canada
U.S. Navy HH-1N from NAS China Lake at the Mojave Spaceport
 Israel
 Jamaica
 Singapore
 United States

Aircraft on display

Specifications (USMC UH-1N, as modified)
HH-1N rotor head

Data from USMC UH-1N Fact Sheet,[48] The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002-2003[49]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, crew chief, gunner)
  • Capacity: 6-8 combat-equipped troops, or equivalent cargo
  • Length: 57 ft 8 in (12.69 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.6 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 5 in (4.4 m)
  • Disc area: 1,808 ft² (168.0 m²)
  • Empty weight: 6,100 lb (2,765 kg)
  • Useful load: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 10,500 lb (4,763 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada T400-CP-400 turboshaft, 1,250 shp (932 kW), 900 shp (671 kW) for each power section

Performance

Armament

  • 2.75-inch (70 mm) rocket pods,
  • 0.50 in (12.7 mm) GAU-16 machine gun,
  • 7.62 mm (0.308 in) GAU-17 minigun or 7.62 mm (0.308 in) M240 lightweight machine gun
  • CH-135 Twin Huey 135102 serving with the Multinational Force and Observers Sinai, Egypt, 1989.
  • CH-135 Twin Huey 135137 in the original blue-gray and green camouflage pattern worn by these aircraft prior to 1986/88.
  • CH-135 Twin Huey 135135 in the early-style SAR markings, 1988. This aircraft was serving with Base Rescue Goose Bay and had formerly been assigned to 424 Transport & Rescue Squadron, CFB Trenton.
  • CH-135 Twin Huey 135127 from Base Rescue Goose Bay in the later SAR scheme used after 1986–88.
  • CH-135 Twin Huey 135103 in special flight test markings. The aircraft was used by the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at CFB Cold Lake, 1987.
  • CH-135 Twin Huey 135103 after repainting in anti-IR olive and green scheme
  • Canadian CH-135 Twin Hueys serving with the Multinational Force and Observers Sinai, Egypt 1989
  • CH-135 Twin Huey badge worn by some Canadian Forces air and ground crew, 1980s
  • 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron UTTH Flight badge worn by CH-135 Twin Huey crews circa 1990. The badge is based on the shield of the province of Alberta.
  • UH-1N serving with the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews.

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

Citations
  1. Mutza 1986, pp. 31-33.
  2. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (6 April 2004). "Bell CH-135 Twin Huey". Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  3. Drendel 1983, pp. 14-17.
  4. Drendel 1983, p. 9.
  5. Eden 2004, p. 47.
  6. Mutza Air Enthusiast December 1986–April 1987, pp. 30–31.
  7. "H-83 Bell 212 C/N 30834". Helis.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  8. FAA official magazine Archived 28 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Stout, Jay A. Hammer from Above, Marine Air Combat Over Iraq. Ballantine Books, 2005. ISBN 978-0-89141-871-9.
  10. Air Force planning decade-long Huey extension Archived 22 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Militarytimes.com, 22 August 2013
  11. "Se accidentó helicóptero en la frontera con Venezuela". El Colombiano. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  12. "Doce soldados muertos deja ataque de las FARC en Maicao | Nación". Noticiascaracol.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  13. "Tres policías muertos en atentado de las Farc en Maicao | 20130201". Caracol.com.co. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  14. Marine Corps to Retire UH-1N Helicopters in September; HH-1Ns in 2015 - Seapowermagazine.org, 4 August 2014
  15. Final Flight of UH-1N Huey for HMLA-773 Archived 7 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Marines.mil, 3 September 2014
  16. Jennings, Gareth (4 September 2014). "UH-1N 'Huey' retired from USMC service". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014.
  17. UH-72 Lakota Could Be a Candidate for Air Force Duty Archived 14 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Defensemedianetwork.com, 10 March 2013
  18. Boeing wins UH-1N replacement contract from USAF Archived 25 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International. 25 September 2018.
  19. Boeing Wins Air Force Contract to Build Huey Replacement Archived 27 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Air Force Magazine. 24 September 2018.
  20. Walker, RWR (June 2006). "Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers Canadian Armed Forces CH-135 Twin Huey detailed list". Archived from the original on 31 October 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  21. USAF 2011 Budget justification, page 4-1 Archived 4 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  22. "USAF Planning Decade-Long Huey Extension".
  23. Green, William. Observers Aircraft, p. 229. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1980. ISBN 0-7232-1604-5.
  24. Wood, Derek. Jane's World Aircraft Recognition Handbook, p. 490. Jane's Publishing Company 1985. ISBN 0-7106-0343-6.
  25. "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  26. "HH.212". Aeronautica Militare. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  27. "World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 December 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  28. "Bell CH-135 TWIN HUEY". canadianwings.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  29. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (24 March 2010). "403 Squadron Activated as Operational Training Squadron". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  30. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (22 September 2011). "408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (THS) History". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  31. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (31 August 2010). "424 Squadron History". Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  32. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (28 November 2008). "History of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron". Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  33. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (28 November 2008). "430 Squadron". Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  34. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (11 April 2012). "444 Squadron History". Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  35. AEROWAREdesigns (2012). "Utility Squadron VU 32". Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  36. Shaw, Robbie: Superbase 18 Cold Lake- Canada's Northern Guardians, page 86. Osprey Publishing, London, 1990. ISBN 0-85045-910-9
  37. Air Force Public Affairs / Department of National Defence (3 April 2012). "417 Combat Support Squadron - History". Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  38. "Israel Air Force - Aircraft Types". aeroflight.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  39. "Jamaica Defence Force Aircraft". jdfmil.org. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  40. "30 Years of Helicopter Operations". mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  41. "Final Flight of UH-1N Huey for HMLA-773". helihub.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  42. AirForces Monthly p. 14 January 2014
  43. ""Huey" Helicopters Fly Final Flights for the U.S. Navy". ktvn.com. 6 April 2009. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  44. "US Navy Retires The Huey". DTN News. Archived from the original on 20 July 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  45. Aircraft collection Archived 4 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine. ussalabama.com
  46. Canada Aviation and Space Museum (2018). "Bell CH-135 "Twin Huey"". Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  47. "Twin Huey – National Air Force Museum of Canada". Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  48. USMC (4 September 2008). "USMC UH-1N fact sheet". Archived from the original on 16 June 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  49. Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Military Aircraft, p. 33. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.

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