56 employees make up the entire staff of the newly found Corporation.
Development begins on the first Bell helicopter. With a tethered control line model, Arthur Young proves his invention is workable.
Gardenville, New York becames the site for Arthur Young and his apprentice, Bartram Kelley to produce a full-size vertical takeoff aircraft.
The ship #1 nicknamed Genevieve flies for the first time |
The Bell 47 receives Helicopter Type Certificate No. 1 : NC-1H
It's the first one ever granted by the Civil Aeronautics Board ( forerunner of the FAA )
Bell establishes the first flight training school for commercial helicopters pilots
In December, first production helicopters are delivered to the US Army.
A utility helo for the USAF with a gross weight of 1225 kg
13 units built.
Bell Helicopter division moves to Hurst, Texas
Agusta Spa licencesing aggreement to built Bell helicopters in Italy
First world's helicopter designed for ASW (antisubmarine warfare) 50 units built then replaced in the US Navy with the Sikorsky S-58 ( HSS-1 then SH-34 )
1000th helicopter rolls off the Bell assembly line.
A derivative of the Bell 47, it is the first Bell turbine helicopter.
A revolutionary concept, this aircraft converts from takeoff in helicoper mode to straight and level flight like an airplane.
Starting built in 1953, this experimental aircraft flew until 1966, proving the fundamental soundness of the tiltrotor concept and gathering data about technical improvements needed for future designs.
The Bell Huey was the first mass-produced helicopter powered by a jet turbine. With its distinctive "whomp-whomp" sound that could be heard miles away, the UH/AH-1 aircraft have totaled more than 27 million flight hours since Oct. 20, 1956 when the "granddaddy" of all H-1's, the XH-40, made its first flight. Since then, more than 16,000 H-1 helicopters have been produced by Bell and its licensees -- making it the most successful military aircraft in aviation history.
Attack models |
Snake Pilot: Flying the Cobra Attack Helicopter in Vietnam |
The UH-1 Iroquois variants |
TH-1F : 26 UH-1F trainersThe UH-1F had a General Electric engine rather than the Lycoming engine used on other models at the time. It was more powerful than the Lycoming engines until the Lycoming TH-53-L13 engine was introduced in mid 1967.
UH-1V : 200 UH-1Hs modified for medevac duties in the 80sThe modification included moving the tail rotor to the right hand side of the tailboom. This modification was picked up by the US army and later UH-1H type aircraft were configured with the tail rotor on the left side.
Bell UH-1 Huey Sikorsky H-3 Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk
|
U.S. delivers anti-drug helicopters Sep 1, 1999
Mexico returns helicopters to U.S. Oct 5, 1999
US Navy UH-1N upgrade completed Jan 16, 2001
UH-1Y Utility Helicopter First Flight Dec 21, 2001
US key programs in troubles Mar 11, 2002
H-1 Flight Test Update Mar 29, 2002
Bell H-1 Program Update Jul 22, 2002
All 5 upgrade H-1 test aircraft flying Oct 08, 2002
UH-1 components and sub-systems [Butch Iceman Site]
Bell 204/205/212/214 Background [Phillip Treweek]
The Bell UH-1 Huey
US Army 's first production-line turbine powered utility helicopter.
The Huey is the most representative helicopter of the Vietnam era.
The XV-3 makes the first conversion of tilting prop-rotor aircraft.
1960 : Spacecraft Recovery Rotor
1960 : Textron Inc. Textron purchases the defense activities of Bell Aircraft and set ups Bell Aerospace Corp as a wholly owned subsidiary with three divisions.1962 : Bell 207 Sioux Scout A derivative of the Bell 47, this gunship concept demonstrator, was a very important step for Bell and will end in the Model 209 years later. Serial number N73927
1962 : Bell 533 HPH An UH-1B modified for research with sweptback wings and side-mounted turbojet engines.1963 : Bell 206 ( YOH-4 ) Serial number 62-4201 lost US Army LOH ( Light Observation Helicopter ) competition against the Hughes YOH-6 (the winner) and the Hiller FH-1100 ( YOH-5 ).
However, Bell continue this model that will end in the Bell 206A civilian series and later acquired by the militaries as the H-57/58 .1963 : Bell 204B ( H-48 ) Hueys modified as missile site support helos. March 27, 1965 : Bell 208 An UH-1D fitted with two Continental turbines, was the first twin turbine helicopter built by Bell.January 10, 1966 : Bell 206A JetRanger The legendary Bell 206B JetRanger III is simply the most successful commercial helicopter ever built. Flying in every type of climate from the artic to the jungles, to the hottest deserts of the worlds. The 206 has accepted, accomplished more missions, has flown more hours and has set (and broken) more industry records than any other aircraft in the world. The Bell Model 206 was originally designed to meet the needs of the US Army LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) 1962 competition as the
YOH-4 . The 206 was defeated by the Hughes OH-6 but a much- modified derivative, the Bell 206A was commercially successful and later adopted by the US Navy as the TH-57 Sea Ranger for training purposes. In 1968, the 206A was selected as the "LOH 2nd Edition" winner and entered the US Army inventory as the OH-58A Kiowa.
Several variants were introduced to the civilian market including the standard Bell 206B3 five-seat model and the Bell 206L4 LongRanger, a stretched seven-seat version adding two rear-facing seats in between the front and rear seats. The two-engine Bell 206LT TwinRanger made its first flight in 1990. After these success, Bell introduced in 1994 the Bell 407 a new light four-bladed single engine helicopter and the Bell 427, the twin engine variant, in 1995.
The US Army had continuously improved the Kiowa beginning with the OH-58C in the 80s, the AHIP Advanced Helicopter Improvement Program OH-58D which was the eyes of 90s Army and the last OH-58D Kiowa Warrior capable of fire hellfire missiles.
The Bell Ranger was built also by Agusta in Italy as the AB.206
July 22,1994: Speed flight record around the world. American Ron Bower on a Bell 206B JetRanger III flew the course taking 24½ days to attain an average speed of 65.97 km/h
US Army's OH-58A Kiowa Functions: Utilily / Observation / Trainer / VIP
OH-58A cockpit
US Navy's TH-57 Sea Ranger
Bell 206 Jet Ranger
US Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (Bell 406 AHIP)
OH-58D loading on USAF C-5 Galaxy
Bell 407
Bell 427
First Flights :
Bell 206 LOH YOH-4 : 1963
Bell 206A JetRanger : Jan 10, 1966
TH-57 / OH-58A: 1968
OH-58C : 1975
Bell 406 AHIP OH-58D : 1981
Bell 407 : 1994
Bell 427 : 1995
Crew / Load: 2 / 4
OH-58C :
Engines: 1 * 420 hp Allison T-63-A-720
Top Speed: 220 km/h
Range: Max.: 490 km
Ceiling: 5.760 m
Weight: Empty: 719 kg -- Max: 1451
Rotor Span: 10.77 m
Length: 12.49 m
Height: 2.91 m
Disc Area: 91.09 m2
Contribution: Aviation Animation Site
Related News:Bell 407 Used to Re-Supply Navy Ships at Sea Sep 13, 2002
1966 : Bell receives a contract for 2115 UH-1 Iroquois.
A unique radar antenna is built into a blade and succesfully tested.
March 17, 1966 : X-22
Tiltrotor, experimental.
Bell 209 Huey Cobra ( AH-1 )
In 1966, the US Army made a request for a interim gunship helicopter to be complete in one year to be deployed in Vietnam.
The winner was the Bell 209 HueyCobra against gunship derivatives of the Kaman SeaSprite, Boeing Vertol Chinook, Piasecki Pathfinder and Sikorsky S-61
1967 : Bell 205A ( UH-1D )
1967 : Huey Cobras first deployed to Vietnam
1968 : TH-57 SeaRanger & OH-58A Kiowa
The US Navy and US Army variants of the Bell 206A.1969 : Bell 300
Mock-up. Tiltrotor development continues.
1970 : Bell 212 ( UH-1N )
Twin-turbine Hueys After the successful of the Models 204 / 205, Bell joined Pratt & Whitney Canada for develop a twin engine derivative, the result was the Model 212 Twin Two Twelve , soon followed by the Model 214 that was a lengthened version (with single and twin engine) of the Bell 205.
In 1979 appear the Model 412 with a 4 blades main rotor
Sept. 10, 1971: Bell 309 King Cobra Because the US Army 's AAFSS ( Advanced Aerial Fire Support System ) competition was cancelled ( See Lockheed Cheyenne ) , Bell designed the model 309 King Cobra as a company-funded project, like Sikorsky does with the S-67.
Only 2 units of the KingCobra were built but some of the improvements would be applied to the following US Marines model: the AH-1T
1972 : Bell 214 Huey Plus / Big Lifter 1972 : Bell 214 Huey Plus / Big Lifter A "big 205", Was first developed for the Iranian Armed Forces1974 : Bell conmemorates the delivery of it 20000th helicopterOctober 1, 1975 : Bell 409 (YAH-63) Developed from the Model 309, two units were built for the US Army AAH ( Advanced Attack Helicopter ) program.
Lost competition against the Hughes YAH-64.
1976 : New Name : Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
The 2000th JetRanger roll out.
1977 : Bell 222
America 's first commercial midsize twin-turbine helicopter
May 3, 1977 : Bell 301 ( XV-15 ) Bell 301 ( XV-15 )
In 1972, with funding from NASA and the US Army, Bell Helicopter Textron started development of the XV-15, a twin-engine tiltrotor research aircraft. Two aircraft were built to prove the tiltrotor design and explore the operational flight envelope for military and civil applications.
After three decades, they continue to be used as experimental testbeds.
The XV-15 with the newest V-22
Type: Research Tiltrotor
Project begin : July 1973
First Flight : May 3, 1977
First conversion from vertical
to horizontal flight: July 24, 1979
Units built: 2
Crew: 2
Engines: 2 * 1550 hp Lycoming LTC1K-4K
Speed: Max: 550 km/h
Service Ceiling: 8800 m
Range: 800 km
Weight: Empty: 4340 kg -- Max: 6000
Rotor Span: 7.62 m
Length: 12.8 m
Height: VTOL 4.67 m
Disc Area: 91.23 m2
Sea trials on board LPH USS Tripoli
Joe Martinez 's photos
1978 : Bell 214ST A 19 place stretched version of the 214 with twin General Electric CT7 turboshafts developing 1625 shp.1979 : Bell 412 The four-bladed version of the Bell 212
1979 : First sale of US helicopters to China, 8 Bell 212s
1980 : The first trasatlantic LIGHT helicopter crossing is completed ( 5100 miles ) by german pilots Karl Wagner and Warner Roschlau in a LongRanger II1981 : Delivery of the 25000th helicopter, a 222.
Bell is selected as a contractor for the ACAP ( US Army Advanced Composite Airframe program )1982 : Bell 222B
1982 : Bell join Boeing in the JVX program ( Joint Services Vertical Lift Aircraft ) that will end in the V-22 Osprey.
New sale of 55 TH-57C advanced instrument trainers to the US Navy.
The XV-15 demostrates its capabilities during three days of navy trials aboard the assault carrier USS Tripoli.
Ross Perot Jr and Jay Coburn become the first pilots of an around the world flight in the Spirit of Texas, a Bell JetRanger II.
The flight departed 9/1/82 and returned 9/30/82. It was 29 days, 3 hours, 8 minutes, 13 seconds. The average speed was 56.97 km/h.
Australian pilot Dick Smith departs from Bell in a JetRanger III to fly the first solo flight around the world. ( 35.258 miles )
On August 9, Smith lands in the UK after making the first solo helicopter crossing of the atlantic Ocean
1983 : AHIP An Army Helicopter Improvement Program prototype makes ir first flight and completes tests with a full-up mast-mounted sight.
1983 : AH-1T+ Super Cobra
Bell Helicopter Canada : The Canadian government selects Bell to establish a helicopter industry in that country.
1984 : Bell 406 Combat Scout ( OH-58D Kiowa Warrior ) AHIP program.
1985 : Bell 412SP Special Performance
1985 : A four-bladed Bell Cobra research aircraft performs tactical maneuvers without pilot hand control . The tests are part of the US Army 's Advanced Technology Integration ARTI program.
The AH-1T+ is redesignates AH-1W
The Model D292 developed for the US Army 's Advanced Composite Airframe Program ACAP makes its initial hover flight.
1986 : The V-22 Osprey after winning a Billion-dollar award fromt the US Navy is approved for full-scale development by the Department of Defense.
The JetRanger III and the LongRanger III are produced in Quebec, Canada.
The first production OH-58D is delivered to the US Army.
The US Marines take delivery of the first production AH-1W Super Cobra,
1987 : Bell and Boeing announce the development of the Pointer , the world's first tiltrotor unmanned air vehicle. ( UAV )
The XV-15 demonstrates civilian applications of tiltrotor aircraft in Chicago and Washington DC
1988 : Bell Boeing Pointer Commercial production of the JetRanger III reaches the 4000 mark.
Bell delivers the 100th helicopter built at the Mirabel Quebec Plant.
March 19, 1989 : Bell / Boeing 901 Osprey (V-22)
End of more than 40 years of experiences (
XV-3, X-22, CL-84, XV-15 ) the V-22 Osprey was the first tiltrotor to enter in production. Original plan contemplates 360 MV-22 for the US Marines , accelerate from seven per year in 2000 to 30 per year in 2004. The US Air Force was to acquiring 50 CV-22 Ospreys to replace its fleet of
MH-53J Pave Low helicopters used to insert and extract special operations forces covertly from hostile areas. Procurement of the first production CV-22s was scheduled to begin in 2001 with deliveries in 2003 and an initial operational capability expected in 2004. The US Navy plans to acquire 48 HV-22Bs for combat search and rescue, special warfare and logistics support.
But after several accidents the program was delayed. ( see press releases below )
As of 2004, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor has been back flying for over two years, with 18 aircraft currently on flight status. More aircraft are added to the fleet every month with flight-testing continuing for another 16 months before the Osprey enters operational service.
The US Government has authorized Bell Boeing to continue low rate production of at least 11 per year which will grow to 48 per year after 2011.
Including FSD, EMD and Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL), V-22 aircraft have flown approximately 7,000 hours, participated in extensive ground-based and shipboard tests, achieved speeds of 342 knots (402 mph; 647 km/hr), altitude of 25,000 ft., gross weight of 60,500 lbs. and a G maneuver load factor of +3.9 at 260 knots. External loads of 10,000 lbs. have been carried 50 nm at 230 knots.
Press here to listen the Osprey
First Flight : March 19, 1989
Mission: Assault, Cargo
Engines: 2 * Allison T406-AD-400 Turboshafts
Speed in Helicopter mode : 185 km/h
Speed in Airplane mode : 509 Km/h -- Max : 638
Rate of climb: Max: 707 m/min
Service Ceiling: 7925 m
Range: 953 km
Weight: Empty: 14800 kg -- Max: 27442
Max Internal Payload: 9072 Kg
Cargo hook capacity: 4500 Kg
Width: 25.55 m
Length: 19.09 m
Height: 6.63 m
Rotor Span: 11.58 m
Disc Area: 105.36 m2 each
Picture by Boeing
Contribution: Boeing Helicopters and The Aviation Animation Site
British - U.S. study affirms V-22 Osprey effectiveness
Bell - Boeing V-22 Team Press Release
An independent British -- U.S. study jointly assessed the potential for the V-22 to meet current and future U.K. vertical airlift requirements. The requirements for this study were based on the Royal Navy's Future Amphibious Support Helicopter program, as well as the U.K.'s recent Strategic Defence Review.
The Defence Evaluation Research Agency, or DERA, the privatized research arm of the Ministry of Defence, located in Farnborough, United Kingdom, along with TRW, Inc. of Fairfax, Va., evaluated the V-22s operational capability versus that of conventional helicopters using three scenarios. The high-resolution combat results models demonstrated the potential benefits to the UK of three key tiltrotor attributes: speed, range and survivability.
"The superior speed of the tiltrotor dramatically improved the rate at which troops, weapons systems and supplies were delivered to the landing zones," said John Buyers, Bell Boeing program manager at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Speed also reduced exposure to air defense threats and increased aircraft and payload survivability in the simulations, he explained.
Increased mission radius capability allowed the assault ships to operate well away from land-based anti-ship missile batteries and naval mines according to the report. On land V-22s permitted deeper operations and enhanced survivability as mission planners routed the aircraft around known air defense threats.
The study also indicated that the V-22 had utility in performing eight ancillary missions, in particular ship-based Airborne Early Warning, Aerial Tanker platform and Strategic Self-Deployment.
The first scenario evaluated was an amphibious assault performed by the Royal Marines as part of a U.S.-led coalition force in the Persian Gulf. In this scenario, the performance of the V-22 was evaluated solely against that of the medium-lift helicopter. DERA and TRW determined that this would be the most likely competitor for the V-22 in the assault role. The study concluded that in the critical first six hours of the simulated assault mission, the V-22 delivered 41 percent more combat power to the landing zones than the medium-lift helicopter in this short-range scenario. At longer ranges the models showed the V-22 able to deliver the complete landing force in 15.7 hours less time, a 50 percent advantage, over the medium-lift helicopter.
The second scenario was a regional conflict inside NATO. In this scenario, the use of support rotorcraft in a number of possible fleet mixes was examined. The scenario showed that an all V-22 force of 27 aircraft could perform all the missions 45 percent faster than the base case of 40 helicopters (i.e., 16 heavy-lift, 8 medium-lift and 16 light-lift helicopters). For a raid on the enemy tank division headquarters, the speed of the tiltrotor allowed mission completion with 39 percent to 47 percent less time exposure to air defense threats. The increased exposure of the helicopters to surface-to-air threats, along with the inherent hardness of the V-22, meant that the helicopter alternatives suffered twice as many combat losses/casualties and had fewer aircraft remaining for subsequent operations.
The third scenario looked at a U.K.-led multi-national force tasked with conducting a non-combatant evacuation operation in Western Africa. With an equal number of three tiltrotors or helicopters, the speed of the tiltrotor allowed all civilians to be evacuated in the shortest period of time; overcoming even the larger passenger capacity of the heavy lift helicopter. The medium or light-lift helicopter would require almost two days to complete the same mission that the V-22 tiltrotor could do in less than 20 hours.
In every scenario the speed, range and survivability of the tiltrotor allowed it deliver more combat power faster, more effectively and with fewer combat losses than would helicopters.
If only V-22s were used to meet the military needs of these three scenarios, DERA modeling showed that based on Strategic Defence Review operational requirements, between 42 and 62 V-22s would be required for the UK.
The first production MV-22 made its public debut by landing on the Pentagon parade grounds in September, providing orientation flights to several congressman and defense officials during an all day static display of the Bell XV-15 tiltrotor.
The Osprey will provide a multi-mission, multi-service versatility and capability to U.S. forces by beginning with USMC initial operational capability in 2001. It is capable of carrying 24 combat-equipped personnel or a 15,000-pound external load. It also has a strategic self-deployment capability with 2,100 nautical mile range with a single aerial refueling. Its vertical/short takeoff and landing capability allows it to operate as a helicopter for takeoff, hover and landing. Once airborne, the engine nacelles rotate forward 90 degrees, converting the V-22 within 20 seconds into a high-speed, high-altitude (25,000 feet), fuel-efficient turbo-prop aircraft.
Related News:US Marines Introduce New Helicopter Sep 8, 1999
Osprey 's big cousin excites Pentagon Sep 26, 1999
MV-22 concludes successful sea trials Oct 11, 1999 [+ update]
Third Production MV-22 delivered Nov 15, 1999
Northrop Grumman to built V-22 panels Mar 16, 2000
CV-22 Osprey Block 10 Upgrades Mar 24, 2000
MV-22 Crash Apr 9, 2000 [+ update]
US Marines declare V-22 safe May 10, 2000
Reports of pilot error are false May 10, 2000 [MV-22 Crash]
MV-22 resume operational evaluation Jun 05, 2000 [MV-22 Crash]
23 deficiencies in the V-22 Osprey Jun 27, 2000
V-22 searching to reduce costs Aug 22, 2000
US Marines ground 3 types of aircraft Aug 27, 2000 [+ update]
CV-22 flight testing set to begin at Edwards AFB Sep 19, 2000
MV-22 declared operational over land Oct 13, 2000
MV-22 deemed suitable for Shipboard Operations Nov 14, 2000
MV-22 ready for Full-Rate Production Nov 30, 2000
Marines MV-22 Crashes in North Carolina Dec 12, 2000 [+ update]
V-22 grounded and production delayed Dec 13, 2000 [MV-22 Crash]
Probes to delay MV-22 Decision-Pentagon Jan 25, 2001
V-22 Osprey to resume flight testing Feb 28, 2002
MV-22 resume flying, all ok May 29, 2002
CV-22 enters Benefield Anechoic Facility Jul 15, 2002
MV-22 Aircraft #21 Arrives at Patuxent River Oct 18, 2002
Osprey Reaches 100-flight hour Mark Nov 08, 2002
Rolls-Royce Ships 100th Engine for V-22 Tilt rotor Dec 04, 2002
Bell announces development of the Bell 230, a significantly improved version of the popular Bell 222.
Bell flies its Model 680 all-composite, four bladed bearingless rotor system for the first time on an AH-1W.
1991 : Bell UAV Eagle Eye
Tiltrotor Unmanned Air Vehicle
1991 : Bell delivers the 500th helicopter built at the Mirabel Quebec Plant.
August 12, 1991 : Bell 230
1992 : Canada announces the purchase of 100 Bell 412 for its defense forces nicknamed CH-146.
US Army conducts a ceremony at Fort Rucker to honor Bell UH-1H Iroquies serial 62-02109 achieving 20.000 flight hours. The aircraft was built in 1962 and was flown in Vietnam for five years before it became a training helicopter at the Army 's Aviation School.
1993 : TH-67 Creek
A modified 206B-3, US Army awards Bell an $85 million contract to build 102 new training helicopters to replace the TH-1 Huey
1993 : Bell 206LT TwinRanger Twin engine version of the 206L-4
1994 : Bell 407
The new light four-bladed single engine helicopter.
1994 : Bell 430
The new Bell 230 had a four-bladed main rotor
1995 : Bell 427
The twin engine version of the Bell 407
1998 : Bell 209 Cobra Lifter A Civilian Crane variant of the Cobra
1999, Oct 8 : Bell / Agusta 609 Tiltrotor Bell / Agusta 609 Tiltrotor
FT. WORTH, Texas, USA ( Bell Agusta Aerospace Press Release ) - Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company reports significant progress with 85 percent of the engineering drawings now complete.
With first flight expected in late 2000, the prototype wing and fuselage are now in tooling. First deliveries for the BA 609 are scheduled for 2002. Bell/Agusta is a joint venture between Bell Helicopter Textron and Agusta, a Finmeccanica company, to design, develop, produce and market the BA 609 and the AB139 twin engine helicopter.
BA609 on ramp BA609 on airport ? The BA 609 is a versatile tiltrotor aircraft providing operators greatly improved performance with twice the speed and range of conventional helicopters. The aircraft in standard configuration is fully pressurized and de-iced. With its rotors in the vertical position, the tiltrotor is able to take-off, land and hover like a traditional helicopter. With the rotors in the horizontal position, the tiltrotor is able to fly with the high speed and range of a turboprop fixed wing airplane. The transition from helicopter mode to airplane mode takes 20 seconds, as does the transition from airplane mode to helicopter mode. The BA 609 will cruise at 275 knots with a maximum unrefueled range of 750 nautical miles, 1,000 nautical miles with auxiliary fuel tanks. The BA 609 offers many advantages over other forms of vertical flight transportation currently used. Helicopters have reached their physical performance limits while tiltrotors offer unique flexibility, increased productivity, lower operating costs (versus helicopters) and can replace mixed fleets of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The 77 advance orders for the BA 609 tiltrotor are from 42 different customers in 18 different countries. Bell/Agusta will build four aircraft prototypes of the BA609. The first flight is scheduled for late 2000 with first deliveries in 2002. The BA609, along with the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor and its variants, will be built at Bell's new Tiltrotor Assembly Center in Amarillo, Texas. A BA 609 assembly line will also be established at the Agusta plant in Italy. All parts and components for both lines will come from the exact same source yielding aircraft that will be identical whether assembled in Italy or Texas. Headquarters for the Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company is located at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas. BA 609 customer training will be conducted at this location, which will also serve as a delivery center. announced news
2000, Nov 1st : World 's First Commercial Tiltrotor Academy news
2000, Dec 7 : Bell 449 "Super Cobra" ( AH-1Z ) AH-1Z
Super CobraThis program will remanufacture 100 UH-1N transport helicopters and 180 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters to an advanced configuration featuring common engines and flight dynamic components. The H-1 Upgrade Program (UH-1Y and AH-1Z) will result in 280 new aircraft for the US Marine Corps to operate beyond 2020. These will have "zero-time" airframes remanufactured with the latest technology. Read about the AH-1 Cobra history at
the Huey and Gunships sections.
First Flight : Dec. 8, 2000
Engines: 2 * General Electric T700-401
Speed : 143 kts
Combat Radius: with 2716 lb payload hot day: 110 nm
Weight: Empty: 12300 lbs -- Max: 18500
Maneuverability: -0.5 to +2.8 g's 16 m
Contribution: Timothy Pruitt
Related News:Bell KingCobra selected by Turkey Jul 21, 2000
First AH-1Z Super Cobra rolled out Nov 21, 2000
AH-1Z Super Cobra First Flight Dec 8, 2000
US key programs in troubles Mar 11, 2002
H-1 Flight Test Update Mar 29, 2002
Bell H-1 Program Update Jul 22, 2002
All 5 upgrade H-1 test aircraft flying Oct 08, 2002
Related Links:Bell UH-1 Huey Stories: Military to Civilian
Naval Technology web site AH-1F Cobra Last Cobra Flight in the Active Army
2001, Feb 3rd : Agusta / Bell AB139 announced news A medium twin helicopter, completed its first flight at Agusta’s flight test facility in Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy.
21st Century : Bell Quad Tiltrotor news
2002 : Textron has ordered work to stop on the Bell Agusta 609 Tiltrotor
2002, Feb 14 : 3 AB139 flying news
2002, March 19 : First 11 MV-22 into production news
2002, Nov 29 : HV-911 Eagle Eye Bell Helicopter Textron will remodel its Eagle Eye HV-911 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production version in preparation for the US Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater System Program (ISDP) contract announcement. In an effort to reduce signature the redesign is said to include the airframe, and possibly a new engine.
2002, Dec 23 :
2004, Dec 18 : Bell 210 Bell 210 Completes First Flight
FAA Certification to Follow 1Q 2005FORT WORTH, TEXAS, USA ( Company Press Release ) - The Bell 210 helicopter made it's first flight Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, at the Bell subsidiary Edwards & Associates, located in Bristol, Tenn. This successful flight marks the first in a series of qualification flights as the Bell 210 goes thru FAA certification testing. Bell expects to attain FAA certification 1st Quarter 2005, with deliveries following soon after.
The Bell 210 is a civil certified version of the U.S. Army UH-1H. Starting with a refurbished UH-1H fuselage, Bell Helicopter adds dynamic components from the Bell 212 (main rotor hub and blades, tail rotor, main and tail rotor support structure, transmission, rotating controls, and tail boom), and an FAA certified Honeywell T-53-517B engine providing a zero-time FAA certified single engine medium utility helicopter. "The Bell 210 is also the perfect solution for the many agencies that use the UH-1H in utility, Homeland Security, law enforcement or firefighting capacities," declared Bell CEO Mike Redenbaugh. "It combines great performance with an existing logistical base, an unbeatable DOC (Direct Operating Costs) and a tremendously low initial acquisition cost. Add to that complete FAA certification and the Bell 210 is truly the best total value proposition to be found in the market today," Mr. Redenbaugh explained. The Bell 210 helicopter will satisfy the U.S. Army's requirement for a Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in the TDA units as well as the Army National Guard. There are many missions now supported by the US Army with assets that are marked for reduction in the coming years that the Bell 210 could more economically perform. These Army Light Utility Helicopters will perform future utility missions for non-combat organizations (TDA), National Guard utility, drug interdiction efforts (RAID), MEDEVAC, and Homeland Defense (HLD) missions. The Bell 210 is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), FAA certified, zero timed helicopter that will operate for around $550 per hour. The Bell 210 will allow the Army to unburden itself of logistics and engineering overhead management and avail itself of the Bell worldwide, world-class commercial support in spares, manuals, and technical support very similar to the TH-67 program at Ft. Rucker, Ala. All this with a warranty and 40% reduction in operating costs. Cost of the Bell 210 will be approximately $3 million. A comparable Huey-sized off the shelf commercial aircraft would cost approximately $5 million. The Bell 210 will have a useful load that is 640 lbs higher than the UH-1H, 400 shaft horsepower increased horsepower available, and the direct operating costs will be considerably less than other aircraft in the same class.
Bell Helicopter Textron, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., is a $2.2 billion, leading producer of commercial and military helicopters, and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce of 8,000 employees serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries. Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in nearly 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. The Bell 210 is a Bell UH-1H that is rebuilt using all new Bell certified parts.
2005, July 22 : The BA609 performed its first conversion to airplane mode in flight being the first civil aircraft in history to perform this feat