Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
2009 |
Crew |
2 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
17.78 m |
Main rotor diameter |
14.88
m |
Height |
4.5
m |
Weight (empty) |
5.37 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
8.39 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshafts |
Engine power |
2 x 1 800 shp |
Maximum speed |
286 km/h |
Cruising speed |
248 km |
Service ceiling |
6.1 km |
Ferry range |
? |
Combat radius |
241 km |
Payload |
Passengers |
8 |
Payload capacity (internal) |
3 t |
Armament |
Machine guns |
2 x 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm |
Other |
70 mm unguided rockets |
|
The UH-1Y
Venom is a modern version of the
UH-1 Iroquois. It is also called Yankee
in reference to its variant letter and also as Super Huey. Since its introduction in
the late 1950s the original UH-1 has been constantly improved and
upgraded. The latest UH-1Y Venom is a result of H-1 helicopter
upgrade program for the US Marine Corps. It was launched by the US
Government in 1996 for bringing well qualified and combat proven
helicopters to modern standards. Upgrades were carried out by Bell helicopter company.
The Venom is a rebuilt, redesigned and deeply modified version of
the famous UH-1. It is worth noting that Venom was developed alongside the
AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter under the same program.
The UH-1Y Venom was developed
from the previous UH-1N Twin Huey, introduced in the early 1970s.
Extremely successful, versatile and reliable airframe of the UH-1
was integrated with modern avionics and new propulsion. It uses a
lot of off-the-shelf technology. It has a high degree of
commonality with the AH-1Z Viper, which was developed under the same
program. Even though these air vehicles serve to
totally different missions. Viper is premier attack helicopter while
Venom is utility transport chopper. However they share 85% of
replaceable components. These helicopters share engines, rotor
system, transmission, tail boom, avionics, controls and displays and
other components. Such commonality allowed to reduce
production, maintenance and overall operational costs.
First
helicopters were delivered in 2008 and full-rate production
commenced in 2009. US Marine Corps plan to obtain 160 of these
helicopters until 2016. Initially it was planned that the UH-1Y
helicopters will be remanufactured from the older UH-1N airframes.
However later it was announced, that these will be newly-built
machines.
In 2009 the
first batch of UH-1Y helicopters were deployed in Afghanistan where
helicopters performed troops and cargo transport, escort, air
support and evacuation missions. In 2015 it was announced that 20 of
these helicopters will be delivered to Pakistan.
Despite
similarity to previous versions of the UH-1, the Venom is powered by
General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines. These have a
continuous output of 1 550 shp, but can develop 1 800 shp for 2.5
minutes. This helicopter has composite four blade main rotor. New
rotor blades withstand hits from 23 mm cannons. As a result the
UH-1Y can gained outstanding performance. Now it can carry 125% more
payload is faster and and has 50% longer range comparing with
its predecessor.
Digital
systems include helmet mounted sights with night vision and infra
red vision. Helicopter also has advanced glass cockpit and
state-of-the-art digital synchronized avionics. Helicopter has new
target system with a modern FLIR. It provides target sighting in
day, night and adverse weather conditions.
This
helicopter can carry 8 fully equipped soldiers. Its modular
construction permits cargo bay to be transformed for other roles,
such as MEDEVAC and cargo carrying.
The Venom
helicopter can be armed with 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine guns, or
7.62 mm Gatling guns installed in the open doors on either side of
the fuselage. Also it can carry pods with Hydra 70 unoperated
rockets or APKWS laser guided anti-armor missiles. These are used
for self-defense to soften-up enemy defenses before landing.
On combat
missions USMC typically deploy 2-4 utility helicopters alongside with
detachment of 4-8 attack helicopters.
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Article by ZAAL TCHKUASELI
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