H-1 PROGRAM

AH-1Z AND UH-1Y

2012-2013, Issue 1

PREMIER ATTACK AND UTILITY HELICOPTERS

Table of Contents
Message from the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps................... 1
Executive Summary.......................................................................... 2
Program Overview........................................................................... 3
Design Philosophy............................................................................ 4
85 Percent Commonality of Maintenance-significant Components......... 5
Cockpit and Integrated Systems........................................................ 6
Hands on Collective and Stick............................................................ 8
Optimized TopOwl............................................................................ 9
Survivability................................................................................... 10
Transportability.............................................................................. 11
AH-1Z .......................................................................................... 12
General Characteristics............................................................. 13
Major Systems......................................................................... 14
Viper Missions........................................................................ 16
Mission Profiles........................................................................ 17
Target Sight System.................................................................. 18
Weapons/Payload Configurations................................................ 19
UH-1Y .......................................................................................... 20
General Characteristics............................................................. 21
Major Systems......................................................................... 22
Venom Missions...................................................................... 24
Mission Profiles........................................................................ 25
BRITE Star II............................................................................. 26
Weapons/Payload Configurations................................................ 27
UH-1Y in Operation Enduring Freedom............................................. 28
UH-1Y Combat Snapshot................................................................ 29
Amphibious Operations................................................................... 30
Maritime Mission Snapshot............................................................ 31
HMLA Operations.......................................................................... 32
Logistical Supportability.................................................................. 33
Future Capabilities......................................................................... 34
Top Tier Suppliers.......................................................................... 35
U.S. Suppliers............................................................................... 36

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT

OF THE MARINE CORPS
As envisioned by the 82nd Congress, the Marine Corps is Americas
Expeditionary Force in Readiness, a ready force, highly mobile,
always at a high state of combat readinessin a position to hold a
full-scale aggression at bay while the American Nation mobilizes its
vast defense machinery. These words have been the guiding principle
by which Americas Marines have organized, trained, equipped and
fought for nearly 60 years. As the Marine Corps commemorates a century of aviation
excellence in 2012, with the last decade in continuous combat, we must modernize our
forces to meet the uncertain challenges ahead. We remain true to the term expeditionary
as the foundation for how we prepare and to describe the environments in which we are
ready to operate.
History has shown that crises usually come with little or no warning; stemming from the
same conditions of uncertainty, complexity and chaos we observe across the world today.
In the unstable regions of the world, where today we see conflict, social unrest and violent
extremism combined with natural disasters, the global competition for resources and the
proliferation of advance weaponry, crises will erupt prompting some form of U.S. response
ranging from humanitarian aid and disaster relief to stability operations and, possibly, major
combat. The Marine Corps is the crisis response force of choice for this emerging security
environment. Partnered with the U.S. Navy in a state of persistent forward presence aboard
amphibious warships, we are capable of conducting any manner of expeditionary operations.

In the wake of prolonged combat operations, we remain dedicated to our modernization efforts,
especially in our aviation equipment. The H-1 program is an integral part of these aviation
upgrades. The introduction of the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y provides the Marine Corps with
the most advanced attack and utility helicopters in the world. They represent the most
effective and efficient means of accomplishing a wide array of missions, in any location and
are a force multiplier for the ground force commander. These new aircraft are a fiscally
responsible solution, reducing total ownership costs with significantly greater commonality
among replaceable parts than their predecessors. This enhanced commonality eliminates
duplicative training and logistics support requirements, while increasing our capability
to operate and maintain these aircraft in expeditionary environments. As we look toward
the second century of Marine Aviation, we are confident the H-1 program represents an
affordable and necessary capability upgrade for the MAGTF.

Semper Fidelis,

James F. Amos
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Table of Contents

A Message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps

1.

Executive Summary

Program Overview

The H-1 Program, comprised of the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom,
extends the proven Cobra and Huey series of aircraft with fully integrated, high-performance, state-of-the-art platforms. Speed, range and
payload have been increased significantly, while supportability demands,
training timelines and total ownership costs have been reduced.

With the United States heavily engaged in Overseas Contingency Operations,

the Marine Corps deployed these new attack and utility helicopters
immediately after each achieved Initial Operational Capability and well
before their established Material Support Date. Since their initial deployments, the UH-1Y in January 2009 and the AH-1Z in November 2011,
both aircraft have demonstrated high reliability during austere, distributed
combat operations.

Separately, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y are the most capable attack and utility
helicopters around the globe. When combined, they represent the most
effective and efficient means of accomplishing a wide array of missions,
anywhere in the world.
The United States Marine Corps procurement objective is
160 UH-1Ys and 189 AH-1Zs for a total of 349 aircraft.
The AH-1Z and the UH-1Y have been extensively tested
and are in full rate production. Through 01 April 2012,
Bell Helicopter had delivered a total of 81 AH-1Zs and
UH-1Ys to the Marine Corps.

2.

Executive Summary

Simply referred to as the Yankee and Zulu by the pilots who fly them
and the mechanics who maintain them, these aircraft have earned a
reputation as some of the most combat-effective and survivable aircraft
on the modern battlefield.

Program Overview

3.

Design Philosophy
The lineage of the Zulu and Yankee are visually obvious, but under their
skins, they enjoy a dramatic departure from their ancestors. With a
focus on maximizing performance while reducing supportability
demands and Total Ownership Costs, these aircraft provide
improved speed, maneuverability, range, firepower and payload while
leveraging 85 percent commonality of maintenance-significant replaceable
components.
The maximum gross weight of each aircraft has increased to 18,500
pounds with Hover Out of Ground Effect (HOGE) useful loads increasing
by 1,572 pounds for the AH-1 and 2,398 pounds for the UH-1. This
useful load increase translates to fuel and ordnance options that more
than double the combat radius of the AH-1W, while providing a payload
and combat radius option that was not executable by the UH-1N.
Both of these aircraft are marinized to prevent corrosion and ease
operations in high-moisture environments. However, the benefits of
marinization are not limited to maritime operations, as corrosion resistant
treatments, blade fold, enhanced rotor brakes, and minimized electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) benefit maintenance and reliability in
all weather environments.

4.

Design Philosophy

85 Percent Commonality of
Maintenance-significant Components
Results in reduced support requirements, training,
logistics footprint and Total Ownership Cost

Integrated Digital Cockpit

100 percent identical software configuration with an upgradable
common software interface and mission planning system
Active & Passive Countermeasures
Optimized TopOwl Helmet Mounted System Display (HMSD)
Advanced Memory Unit (AMU) with Common Mission Loading/
Maintenance Data Extraction
Common Drive Train
Composite Rotor System
Main Transmission
Intermediate and Tail Rotor Gearbox
Redundant Hydraulic Systems
Electrical System
4-Bladed Pusher Tail Rotor
4-Bladed Composite Main Rotor
Fire Extinguishing System
Flight Control Servos
Oil Cooling System
T700-401C Engines
IR Suppressors
Battery & Auxiliary Power Unit

85 Percent Commonality UH-1Y/AH-1Z

5.

Both aircraft feature a full-function avionics system for cockpit display,

navigation, flight management, aircraft systems, communications,
sensor management and weapons delivery consisting of:

Cockpit and
Integrated
Systems
Cockpit and Avionics

The AH-1Z and UH-1Y Integrated Avionics System (IAS) interfaces the
helicopters glass cockpits and provides the capability for the helicopter
to communicate, navigate, process and present data, manage crew
station systems, detect and counter threats, acquire and track targets,
employ guided and unguided munitions, provide various sensor input
data with other aircraft systems and equipment. The IAS utilizes two
synchronized mission computers with an open, modular architecture that
allows for easy system upgrades and is aligned with Edition 1.0 of the
Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Technical Standard. The
IAS also improves the aircrews situational awareness and weapons
accuracy by providing critical mission data on four multi-function displays.

6.

Cockpit and Integrated Systems

Two (2) Synchronized Mission Computers

Provides dual redundant processing and control
Four (4) Multifunction Displays (MFD)

Each is independent and provides aircrew and maintenance

personnel the ability to display real time data
Two (2) Dual Function Displays

Additional devices for displaying data input and backup

flight data
Two (2) Keyboard Units

Provides crew ability to manage input in real-time
Two (2) Station Control Units (SCU), Two (2) Outboard Stores

Station Electronics (SSE)

Provides interface to weapons on the AH-1Z
Two (2) ARC-210 Radios for AH-1Z and Three (3) for the

UH-1Y, & (1) APX 123

Provides external radio and IFF communications
EW Suite

Provides situational awareness of and protection from

threats to the aircraft (Radio Frequency (RF) and

Infra-Red (IR) threat warning)
Forward looking Infra-Red/TV system

Provides Electro-Optical (EO) & IR targeting and situational

awareness (SA) of what is happening on the ground
Two (2) Helmet Mounted Sight Display (HMSD)

Provides flight/weapons/EW threat SA to the crew during

flight, allowing the aircrew to keep heads out of the cockpit
Cockpit and Integrated Systems

7.

Optimized TopOwl

Hands on Collective and Stick

Switches located on the collective and cyclic allow the pilot to cycle through
Multi-function Displays; manipulate Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS)
inputs; select, tune and transmit from the communications suite; and
select and employ aircraft weapon systems and countermeasures without
removing hands from the controls. Switches are shaped differently to aid
identification by tactile sense.
The layout and functionality of crewmember stations is identical, with
the exception of the rotor brake and access to some circuit breakers,
minimizing training and allowing the aircraft to be flown and fought
from either crew station.

8.

Hands on Collective and Stick

Optimized TopOwl (OTO) is the combat-proven Helmet Mounted Sight and

Display on both AH-1Z and UH-1Y. OTO is the combination of a modular,
protective helmet with day and night avionics to present a head-up display
of visual aids and intensified night images to the pilot. OTO significantly
reduces pilot workload and affords more attention to the situational
environment by presenting:
Conformal display that superimposes flight symbology onto the natural
landscape
Integrated aiming and acquisition symbology that allows weapon
system employment without taking eyes off the target environment
Supplemental hover symbology to aid the pilot in reduced visibility
approach and landing conditions
The OTO Helmet utilizes a customized fitting system to provide a very
high level of comfort. Coupled with a high precision head tracking system,
the helmet affords aircrew ease of target identification, engagement and
hand off.

Optimized TopOwl

9.

Transportability
Survivability
The AH-1Z and UH-1Y were designed with survivability in mind, knowing
the two aircraft would regularly be tasked with conducting Close Air
Support (CAS), Armed Reconnaissance, Forward Air Control (Airborne),
escort and insert/extract missions. A number of enhancements on these
aircraft include:
Ballistically tolerant composite rotor hubs and blades capable of
withstanding 23mm munitions
Large diameter control tubes for survivability against small arms
Landing gear rated for 12 feet per second descent
On Board Inert Gas Generating System (OBIGGS) for fuel tank ullage
Engine infrared (IR) suppressors and IR reflective paint
Pilot, aircrew and passenger crash attenuating seats

Simple, rugged and easily operated, the foldable rotor blade system reduces
the physical footprint of the aircraft to allow for worldwide transport on
shipping or in strategic lift aircraft. The compact size also enables highdensity hangaring for sheltering in severe weather or operations from
austere expeditionary bases, where space can be at a premium.

The aircraft are also outfitted with a robust, combat-tested suite of threat
detection and countermeasure equipment:
AN/APR-39B(V)2 Radar Warning System
AN/AAR-47 Missile/Laser Warning System
AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Set
Combat often requires flight operations in close proximity to enemy forces,
especially during execution of CAS, escort, insert/extract and emergency
resupply missions. USMC UH-1Ys in Afghanistan have sustained hits on
several occasions, but completed
their missions and returned safely
to base.

10.

Survivability

Transportability

11.

AH-1Z
AH-1Z

The AH-1Z is a fully integrated attack helicopter capable of carrying a wide

variety of munitions across six dedicated weapons stations. The Zulu
has one of the best 3rd Generation Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR)
sensors on the battlefield, the Target Sight System (TSS), providing
long-range target detection and identification with extremely high-level
targeting accuracy. When compared to the predominately fielded 2nd
generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) on other attack helicopters, the
advanced third generation TSS outperforms their detection, recognition and
identification capabilities by considerable margin. Comparative performance
is shown in the chart below.

AH-1Z General Characteristics

Performance
Max speed, KIAS
Cruise speed, KTAS
Sideward/Rearward flight, KIAS
Max autorotation speed, KIAS
Combat radius*, nm
Maneuverability

Weight and Fuel

200
139
45
120
131 nm
-0.5 to +2.5 g
18,500
5,764
412.5

Max Gross Weight, pounds

Max useful load, pounds
Fuel Capacity, gallons

Engines
Model T700-GE-401C
Output, uninstalled, each engine

1800 shp

Crew

Pilots
Detection
Recognition
Identification

3rd Gen FLIR (TSS)

2nd Gen FLIR

The Optimized TopOwl Helmet Mounted Sight and Display provides aircraft
performance and navigation information and is fully integrated with every
weapon system on the aircraft. This heads-up, heads-out capability
significantly increases pilot situational awareness and enables rapid target
handoff and engagement.
The Zulu carries a wide range and large quantity of munitions, to include
Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles, 2.75 rockets, 20mm cannon and 120
countermeasure expendables. No other attack helicopter can carry the
same load of air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons to address any threat
or contingency.
12.

AH-1Z

*Aircraft configured with attack payload of (8) Hellfire missiles,

(14) 2.75 HE rockets, (650) rounds 20mm, and (120) chaff and
flare cartridges conducting mission profile, which includes 30
minutes of on station time and a 20 minute fuel reserve.
AH-1Z General Characteristics

13.

AH-1Z Major Systems

COMPOSITE BEARINGLESS
MAIN ROTOR HUB
UHF, VHF COMM
SINCGARS & HAVEQUICK
MODE 4,5,S IFF
CDL VIDEO LINK*
SAASM*
UHF DAMA SATCOM*

COMPOSITE MAIN &

TAIL ROTOR BLADES

DUAL HYDRAULICS
DUAL TANDEM ACTUATORS
4 DC POWER SOURCES
BALLISTICALLY TOLERANT DESIGN
SELF-SEALING FUEL SYSTEM

APU
T700-401C ENGINES
(WITH IR SUPPRESSION)

2625 SHP TRANSMISSION

FULLY INTEGRATED COCKPIT
& FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM

EMBEDDED GPS/INS

3RD GEN TARGET

SIGHT SYSTEM
INTEGRATED HEALTH USAGE
& DIAGNOSTICS
2 AIM-9 STATIONS
*INTREPID TIGER

4 UNIVERSAL WING STATIONS

AGM-114 HELLFIRE
2.75 FFAR/APKWS
14.

AH-1Z Major Systems

20mm TURRETED GUN

& LINKLESS FEED
INTEGRATED IR AND
RF SURVIVABILITY
*Future planned capability
AH-1Z Major Systems

15.

AH-1Z Viper Missions

Mission Profiles

The Marine Corps premier attack helicopter is tasked with conducting

the following missions:
Offensive Anti-Air Warfare
Air Interdiction

AH-1Z Combat Radius and Range

The AH-1Z was designed to carry more ordnance, carry it further, carry
it faster and deliver it more effectively in the objective area.

Active Air Defense

Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance
Armed Reconnaissance
Close Air Support
Deep Air Support
Forward Air Control (Airborne)
Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel
Aerial Escort
Aviation Operations from Expeditionary Shore-Based Sites
Aviation Operations from Sea-Based Sites

On a typical Close Air Support (CAS) mission profile, which serves to

provide effective and timely fires on targets in close proximity to friendly
forces, the AH-1Z carries a load of (8) Hellfire missiles, (14) High Explosive
(HE) rockets, (650) rounds of 20mm ammunition and (120) cartridges
of chaff and flare expendables to an objective area 131 nautical miles
away; spends 30 minutes in the objective area to prosecute targets; then
returns to its point of origin and still has 20 minutes of fuel remaining.

Missions inside box are common to both AH-1Z and UH-1Y.

16.

AH-1Z Viper Missions

Mission Profiles

17.

Target Sight System

Weapons/Payload Configurations

Target Sight System (TSS) is the multi-sensor electro-optical/infrared

(EO/IR) fire control system (AN/AAQ-30) for the AH-1Z. It has a largeaperture midwave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, color TV, laser
designator/rangefinder (with eyesafe mode) and an on-gimbal inertial
measurement unit integrated into a highly stabilized turret mounted to
the nose of the aircraft. The TSS provides the capability to identify and
laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing
platform survivability and lethality. The sensor includes:

The AH-1Z is reconfigurable to support a wide variety of tasks with the

following armament and mission kits:

High magnification, continuous zoom, color TV with field-of-view

matched to the FLIR
State-of-the-art 640 x 512 InSb, low-noise-equivalent delta
temperature, high-modulation transfer function detector with a
high-reliability cooler
Versatile modular architecture for future growth

18.

Target Sight System

AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles
Mk-66 2.75 rockets
M-197 20mm cannon
LUU-2 illumination flares
77-gallon auxiliary fuel tanks
Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System (TACTS) pod

USMC has plans to also incorporate:

Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS)
Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM)
Intrepid Tiger

Weapons/Payload Configurations

19.

UH-1Y

UH-1Y General Characteristics

Performance
Max speed, KIAS
Cruise speed, KTAS
Sideward/Rearward flight, KIAS
Max autorotation speed, KIAS
Combat radius*, nm
Maneuverability

Weight and Fuel

170
147
45
120
119 nm
-0.5 to +2.3 g
18,500
388

Max Gross Weight, pounds

Fuel Capacity, gallons

Engines
Model T700-GE-401C
Output, uninstalled, each engine

UH-1Y
The UH-1Y is the worlds most versatile and capable utility helicopter,
teaming a new drivetrain and engines with state-of-the-art mission
systems.

1800 shp

Crew

2
2/8

Pilots
Crew/Passenger seats

The UH-1Ys integrated glass cockpit is optimized for crew coordination

and situational awareness during high-tempo combat operations and
the Optimized TopOwl Helmet Mounted Sight and Display provides pilots
with all essential aircraft performance, navigation and weapons information
for mission accomplishment.
All UH-1Ys are outfitted with the 3rd generation BRITE Star Block II FLIR
and color television camera to provide robust navigation and long-range
targeting capabilities. The sensor is outfitted with a laser designator/
rangefinder and integrated infrared pointer to take full advantage of its
2.75 rockets or a selection of 7.62 and .50 caliber guns.
Combat-tested in the worlds harshest climates, the UH-1Y performs a
wide array of missions without compromise.

20.

UH-1Y

*Aircraft configured with GAU-16 and M240 weapon systems with

(500) rounds each, (8) combat loaded troops, and (4) aircrew
conducting mission profile, which includes 5 minute, mid-mission
HOGE for fastrope operations, 10 minutes in objective area and
10 percent fuel reserve.
UH-1Y General Characteristics

21.

UH-1Y Major Systems

COMPOSITE MAIN &
TAIL ROTOR BLADES

DUAL HYDRAULICS
DUAL TANDEM ACTUATORS
4 DC POWER SOURCES
BALLISTICALLY TOLERANT DESIGN
SELF-SEALING FUEL SYSTEM

COMPOSITE BEARINGLESS
MAIN ROTOR HUB

UHF, VHF COMM

SINCGARS & HAVEQUICK
MODE 4,5,S IFF
UHF DAMA SATCOM
CDL VIDEO LINK*
SAASM*

2625 SHP TRANSMISSION

T700-401C ENGINES
(WITH IR SUPPRESSION)

FULLY INTEGRATED COCKPIT

& FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM
DIGITAL AFCS WITH
4 AXIS STABILIZATION

EMBEDDED GPS/INS
INTEGRATED HEALTH
USAGE & DIAGNOSTICS

2 DOOR GUNNER MOUNTS CAPABLE OF

ANY COMBINATION OF:
7.62mm GATLIN GUN
M240 7.62mm
12.7mm MACHINE GUN
2.75 FFAR/APKWS

3RD GEN FLIR

INTEGRATED IR
POINTER AND LASER
DESIGNATOR
INTEGRATED IR AND
RF SURVIVABILITY

*Future planned capability

22.

UH-1Y Major Systems

UH-1Y Major Systems

23.

UH-1Y Venom Missions

Mission Profiles
UH-1Y Combat Radius and Range
Like the AH-1Z, the UH-1Y was designed to carry more, both further
and faster, and be more effective in the objective area than any other
utility helicopter. A superlative platform to conduct special operator
insert/extract missions, the UH-1Y can carry a full load of (8) combat
loaded troops with door guns, fast ropes, and a full complement of
(120) expendables out to an objective area 119 nautical miles away;
support those troops by fire for another 20 minutes; then return to
its point of origin with 20 minutes of fuel reserve.

As the Marine Corps premier utility helicopter, the UH-1Y is tasked

with conducting the following missions:
Combat Assault Transport
Air Delivery
Airborne Command and Control
Helicopter Insert and Extract/Fastrope
Tactical Air Control (Airborne)

Active Air Defense

Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance
Armed Reconnaissance
Close Air Support
Deep Air Support
Forward Air Control (Airborne)
Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel
Aerial Escort
Aviation Operations from Expeditionary Shore-Based Sites
Aviation Operations from Sea-Based Sites

Missions inside box are common to both AH-1Z and UH-1Y.

24.

UH-1Y Venom Missions

Mission Profiles

25.

BRITE Star II

Weapons/Payload Configurations

The UH-1Ys BRITE Star II employs

a 5 Fields of View (FOV), midwave,
forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and a 3-FOV, high-definition,
3-chip, color and monochrome
Charged Coupled Device (CCD)
camera to optimize mission performance. Its ability to fuse the Infrared
and CCD images affords detection, recognition and identification at
greater distances, enabling aircrews to find, fix and engage targets
beyond the range of threat systems in day and night conditions. The
system includes a high reliability, diode pump laser designator/rangefinder (eye-safe) compatible with all US and NATO laser guided munitions.
Target and location marking with the bore-sighted infrared laser pointer
increases situational awareness and significantly reduces kill chain time.

The UH-1Y is reconfigurable to support a wide variety of tasks

with the following armament and mission kits:

26.

BRITE Star II

GAU-21 Common Defense Weapon System (.50 cal)

GAU-17 mini-gun (7.62mm)
M240 gun (7.62mm)
MK-2.75 rockets*
Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System (TACTS) pod
77-gallon fuel tank
Fast rope gantries
External cargo hook

*APKWS successfully completed Operational Testing and is deployed

to Operation Enduring Freedom for use in the UH-1Y, providing the
Yankee with a PGM capability which further expands its influence
and flexibility.

Weapons/Payload Configurations

27.

UH-1Y in Operation Enduring

Freedom
In November 2009, the Marine Corps was heavily engaged in two conflicts
and the ability of its legacy UH-1Ns to conduct operations at high
altitudes and/or gross weights severely restricted aircrew and ground
commander options. As a result, the Marine Corps accelerated introduction
of the UH-1Y into Afghanistan, sending a full squadron of Yankees forward
despite having just achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), and a full
year before its planned Material Support Date (MSD). The UH-1Y has
been engaged in sustained, high-tempo combat operations since its arrival.
While roughly 60 percent of its mission tasking involves Close Air Support,
Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Assault Support Escort, the UH-1Ys
increased payload and inherent weapons capabilities have afforded
Ground Commanders a multitude of options previously unavailable, with
tactics, techniques and procedures being continually refined. To date,
UH-1Ys have accrued over 12,000 combat flight hours, carrying more
than 7,000 passengers and 81,000 pounds of cargo, while maintaining
an 83 percent readiness rate.

UH-1Y Combat Snapshot

Marine and Afghani forces were engaged in an extensive firefight with
ammunition running critically low. As the fight intensified, two UH-1Ys
received the call for an emergency ammunition re-supply. The aircraft
were configured for Close Air Support and were outfitted with a full
complement of 2.75 inch rockets, a .50 caliber machine gun and a 7.62
Gatling gun. The aircrews had loaded the aircraft cabins with several
thousand pounds of ammunition and launched in the heat of the Afghanistan
summer. With temperatures exceeding 115F and the Density Altitude
exceeding 7,000 ft., the aircraft touched down in the landing zone in the
midst of a firefight. Though Marine and Afghani forces provided heavy
suppression to cover the Yankees arrival, local Taliban surged to engage
the aircraft on deck.
In less than one minute all ammunition was offloaded from the Yankees
and the aircraft departed their landing zones, engaging the enemy and
providing additional suppressive fires on egress. During the post flight
inspections, 10 bullet holes were identified between the two aircraft,
penetrating rotor blades, fuel cells and avionics compartments. Neither
pilots nor aircrews detected any performance degradation during the
remainder of the flight.
The UH-1Y has demonstrated significant increases in speed, range,
payload, survivability and multi-role capabilities, and is providing economy
of force solutions to Ground Force Commanders on a daily basis.

28.

UH-1Y in Operation Enduring Freedom

UH-1Y Combat Snapshot

29.

Amphibious Operations

Maritime Mission Snapshot

When considered individually, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y are arguably the
best attack and utility helicopters in the world. When operated together,
the benefits increase exponentially. Recent deployments have demonstrated that the increased speed, range and payload capabilities of both
aircraft significantly extend the reach and influence of Marine Expeditionary
Units (MEU).

In 2009, the UH-1Y saw its first operational deployment with the 13th
Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Yankee made an immediate impact.

30.

Amphibious Operations

The MEU was assigned to conduct antipiracy operations off the coast
of Somalia with Combined Task Force 151. With a section of aircraft
constantly on alert status, the Yankee often flew in mixed sections with
the AH-1W. It was directly involved in the capture of seven pirates and
played a key role in the high-profile rescue of Captain Richard Phillips of
the Maersk Alabama. The UH-1Ys increased power and performance
mitigated risk to the aircrew while flying long-distance missions over open
water. Faster speeds and longer legs also meant the aircraft could
more rapidly respond to vessels under duress from pirate activities and
made it the platform of choice for snipers, assault team inserts and
airborne command and control. The Yankees improved performance and
increased payload also allowed aircrews to provide simultaneous
capabilities to the ground commander by eliminating the need for timeconsuming mission reconfigurations.

Maritime Mission Snapshot

31.

HMLA Operations

Logistical Supportability

Since the 1980s, the USMC has structured its Marine Light Attack
Helicopter (HMLA) squadrons to include both AH-1s and UH-1s. The
operational advantages of flying mixed sections of AH and UH aircraft
were revalidated during the Marine Corps extensive involvement in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Mixed sections
provide extra sets of eyes, quick and accurate threat suppression,
additional offensive punch, and imbedded Tactical Recovery of Aircraft
and Personnel (TRAP), Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC), insert/extract
and self escort capabilities on every sortie.

Great strides have been made in logistical requirements for the UH-1Y
and AH-1Z, improvements that enhance an already exceptional operational
capability. Deployed well before its established Material Support Date
(MSD), the UH-1Y has flown in the full range of operations as part of
Marine Expeditionary Units and in Operation Enduring Freedom. A testament
to the innovative engineering designs and 85 percent commonality of
components, both the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y continue to exceed readiness
goals despite the decision to deploy the aircraft earlier than the MSD. In
comparison to earlier H-1 variants, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z deploy with a
significantly smaller logistical footprint, sustaining operations in austere
environments that had previously been unsupportable.

With multiple mission configurations and the ability to adapt aircraft mix
and flight composition, Ground Force Commanders are afforded scalable
options to meet mission challenges across the entire spectrum of utility
and attack operations.

32.

HMLA Operations

Parts commonality has also streamlined the training programs for maintenance personnel, decreasing the time it takes to train and certify
technicians on both aircraft. Continued partnership between the
Marine Corps, logistics agencies and industry consistently improves the
appropriate sizing of inventories, expediency in logistical pipelines and
initiatives for reliability and sustainability. With the UH-1Y and AH-1Z,
the pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel take advantage of high
readiness percentages,enhanced maintainability and an expeditionary
logistical footprint to continue the proud tradition of H-1 attack and
utility helicopters into the future.

Logistical Supportability

33.

Future Capabilities
The Marine Corps road map for continually upgrading the effectiveness,
survivability and safety of the AH-1Z and UH-1Y is enabled by their 100
percent common architecture and software loads. This commonality
eases the development, test and fielding of systems for both aircraft
at significantly reduced cost. Some of the capability enhancements
planned for the Yankee and Zulu include:
Digitally Aided Close Air Support (DaCAS) DaCAS enables
the digital exchange of Close Air Support mission information to
increase aircrew situational awareness and accelerate the kill chain.

Common Data Link (CDL) The Yankee and Zulu will be outfitted
with the ability to send and receive Full Motion Video with associated
metadata to and from UAS and ground-based systems to validate
targeting accuracy, maintain positive identification, reduce potential for
collateral damage and decrease risk of fratricide.

Joint Battle Command Platform (JBC-P) JBC-P is the next

iteration of Blue Force Tracker (BFT), providing secure Common
Operational Picture and over-the-horizon data link capability to aircrews
operating throughout the battlespace.

Joint Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS)

JATAS extends infrared and laser threat detection and adds Hostile
Fire Indicator capability for AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft.

34.

Future Capabilities

Top Tier Suppliers

AH-1Z & UH-1Y Top Tier Suppliers
Supplier

System

Bell Helicopter

Prime Contractor

General Electric Aviation

Engines, IR suppressor, blade fold

actuator, rotor brake control

L3 Communications

UH-1Y cabin

KAMAN Aerospace

AH-1Z cabin

Northrop Grumman Corp

Integrated Avionics Suite (IAS),

mission computers

Lockheed Martin, Orlando

AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS)

Thales, Inc

Optimized TopOwl HMSD

FLIR Systems

UH-1Y BRITE Star NTIS

Avionic Instruments

Inverters

Amfuel (Zodiac)

Fuel cells

Woodward HTR

Actuators

Composite Solutions

Composite panels

Texstar (Hampson Aerospace)

Composite parts

Times Microwave Systems

Wiring cables

Triumph Fabrication

Landing gear

Lord Corp

Fraham Assemblies, elastomerics

Harris Corp

HUMS

SKF

Bearings, elastomerics

Projects Unlimited

FCC, AWIRT, CWIRT

Donlee Precision

Rotor masts

Honeywell Mechanical

Starter, fan, valves

Goodrich DSSD

Bellmouths

BAE System Controls

Fuel probes / computer

Ceradyne

Armor assemblies

AIDC

Tail Booms

Top Tier Suppliers

35.

Kaman Industrial Technologies

All registered trademarks are the property of their

respective owners.

36.

U.S. Suppliers

U.S. Suppliers

37.

H-1 PROGRAM
AH-1Z AND UH-1Y

Approved for Public Release Unlimited Distribution

NAVAIR PMA 276 Control Number 2012-599