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US Navy orders additional H-1 helicopters |
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Tuesday, 14 October 2008 |
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Bell Helicopter has received a new order from the US Navy for 15 upgraded H-1 helicopters.
The US Navy has exercised an option under its contract with rotorcraft manufacturer Bell to purchase Lot Five of the H-1 upgrade programme.
Lot Five, worth $210 million (£120 million) involves upgrades to 11 UH-1Y and four AH-1Z attack helicopters. All 15 aircraft will be upgraded at Bell's military aircraft assembly centre in Texas.
Including all previous lots, Bell is now under contract to produce a total of 49 upgraded military H-1 aircraft for the Marines; 37 UH-1Ys and 12 AH-1Zs.
The H-1 helicopters will replace the Navy's ageing fleet of UH-1 Hueys and AH-1 Cobras, which have been in service since the 1950s and 1960s respectively. The UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z are twin-engined versions of their older counterparts.
To date, Bell has delivered 20 upgraded choppers, including 14 UH-1Ys and six AH-1Zs.
Earlier this month, Bell announced the delivery of a Huey II helicopter to the Kern County Sherriff's Department in the US.
The helicopter will be used to enhance the ability of the department to perform a wide ranging number of responsibilities throughout the county. |
