New Huey helicopter cleared for deployment

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The UH-1Y can fly faster, farther and ferry more troops and gear than older models.


New Huey helicopter cleared for deployment
By Bryan Mitchell - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Aug 27, 2008 15:52:32 EDT

Marines will soon fly in the first newly engineered Huey helicopter the Corps has introduced in more than 35 years.

Known as the UH-1Y, the helicopter can fly faster, farther and ferry more troops and gear than older models, offering commanders more options when planning operations, according to program manager Col. Keith Burkholz. It will enhance the Corps’ ability to perform reconnaissance, provide secure escorts, scramble quick-reaction teams and place troops in hostile territory.

“You can carry eight combat troops with 250 pounds of gear each plus a crew of four, a full load of gas and suppressive weapons,” Burkholz said. “If you loaded that configuration into a Huey today, it would not physically be able to take off.”

The $20 million UH-1Y gained initial operating capability Aug. 8 after more than a year of testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The helicopter is built by Texas-based Bell Helicopter-Textron, which also manufactures the tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey.

The new Huey was designed alongside a new Marine attack helicopter: the AH-1Z, also known as the Super Cobra.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_huey_082708w/