CONCEPTUAL BELL HUEY II GUNSHIP

 

(Specialized Intimate Close Air Support Helicopter)

 

Huey 2

 

HUEY  II  OVERVIEW

 

Huey II embraces upgrading of UH-1H engine, transmission, rotor system; tailboom/tailrotor drive assembly replacement and complete airframe refurbishment/rewiring. Some armour plating, infra red suppression, avionics suite upgrade and GPS nav system installation are available options.

 

Over 5,000 UH-1H remain in service worldwide (Y2007) with long term supportability of the Huey II envisaged due to common usage of Bell commercial aircraft components. Direct operating costs are reduced by over 30 percent. The USAF ordered 24 Huey II in 2005 with a glass cockpit option.

 

 

Characteristics

UH-1H

Huey II

Powerplant (Lycoming)

T53-L-13 (1,400 shp)

T53-L-703 (1,800 shp)

Maximum Operating Weight

9,500 pounds

10,500 pounds

Service Ceiling

12,700 feet

16,000 feet

IGE Hover MOW at ISA+20

4,000 feet

11,000 feet

Cruise IAS doors open

90 knots

100 knots

Endurance with nil reserves

130 minutes

170 minutes

 

 

GUNSHIP VERSION ARMAMENTS

 

Australian UH-1H Version

Conceptual Huey II Version

2 x 7.62mm fixed forward firing miniguns each

with rate of fire set at 4,500 rounds per minute,

minigun ammo stowage 9,000 rounds

2 x 7.62mm fixed forward firing miniguns each

with rate of fire set at 4,500 rounds per minute,

minigun ammo stowage 9,000 rounds

 

2 x 7 tube 70mm rocket launchers

armed with 14 M229 17 pound HE warheads

 2 x NC621 20mm low recoil cannon pods each

with rate of fire set at 500 rounds per minute,

max ammo load 500 rounds HEI (250 per pod), effective against light armour and personnel

4 x GPMG M60 7.62mm machine guns

with 3,000 rounds ammunition (1,500 rounds each twin doorgun station)

4 x GSMG MAG58/L7A2 7.62mm machine guns with 3,000 rounds ammunition (1,500 rounds each twin doorgun station)

Refuel & full re-arm turnaround in 10 minutes

Refuel & full re-arm turnaround in 15 minutes

 

 

A ‘new’ very versatile Huey II costs US$2million with superior combat capabilities in most respects to Tiger and MRH90 which each cost upwards of A$45million.