Bell restarts Venom production to meet Czech order
The first UH-1Y helicopter destined for the Czech Republic. (Photo: Bell Textron)
Commonality of parts with the AH-1Z has allowed Bell to maintain important component supply chains for UH-1Y manufacturing.
Bell Textron announced on 19 July that it has resumed UH-1Y Venom helicopter production to fulfil an FMS contract to produce and deliver eight UH-1Ys and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters for the Czech Republic.
Subcontractor Crestview Aerospace completed manufacturing the first of eight UH-1Y cabins at its Florida facility. The aircraft will complete final assembly at the Bell facility in Amarillo, Texas.
The company delivered the final UH-1Y for the USMC programme of record in April 2018, but it continued producing and delivering the AH-1Z under a production contract for 349 H-1 aircraft (160 Venoms and 189 Vipers).
The UH-1Y shares 85% commonality of parts with the AH-1Z, including the same engines, integrated mission system and four-bladed rotor. This commonality has enabled critical component supply chains to remain active during AH-1Z production for the USMC, Bell noted.
Bell anticipates USMC production of the AH-1Z until early 2022, followed by continued production for foreign military customers, including Bahrain, which ordered 12 helicopters. According to Shephard Defence Insight, these Vipers will supplement a fleet of Royal Bahrain Air Force AH-1 Cobras (AH-1Es, AH-1Fs and TAH-1P trainer helicopters).
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK set to host headquarters for GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, reports suggest]()
UK set to host headquarters for GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, reports suggest
As discussions about the Global Combat Air Programme's headquarters location continue, Japan may lead the UK-based HQ to maintain programme balance.
-
![Honeywell urges Pratt & Whitney to share F-35 engine data or risk costly maintenance and reduced reliability]()
Honeywell urges Pratt & Whitney to share F-35 engine data or risk costly maintenance and reduced reliability
'We're getting into a zone where [the engine and the cooling] are going to be out of phase with each other... which means you're going to have to take the [F-35] jet down twice for overhaul and replacement of systems,' Honeywell official tells Shephard.
-
![Australia reverses decision on Schiebel Camcopters for naval UAVs]()
Australia reverses decision on Schiebel Camcopters for naval UAVs
It turns out that Australia has made absolutely no progress in obtaining shipborne UAVs in the past 18 months or so.
-
![Austria to replace C-130 Hercules with C-390]()
Austria to replace C-130 Hercules with C-390
Austria plans to replace its retiring C-130 Hercules fleet with Embraer's C-390 military transport aircraft, Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner said on 20 September.
-
![Australia orders a fourth MQ-4C Triton and upgrades P-8A fleet]()
Australia orders a fourth MQ-4C Triton and upgrades P-8A fleet
Australia will buy another MQ-4C Triton for maritime surveillance, plus its partner the P-8A will undergo an upgrade programme.
