Bell H-1 fleet achieves half a million flight hours
Bell is currently working to increase the electrical power capacity on the H-1. (Photo: Bell Textron)
The current fleet of AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms have surpassed the 500.000-flight hour mark.
Nearly 400 AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, built by Bell Textron and operated by the USMC and their allies, combined to achieve the milestone.
The H-1 Viper and Venom variants have demonstrated integration with advanced weapon and data link capabilities.
‘With the Viper and Venom sharing 85% commonality of parts, a major advantage of this programme is that a single readiness improvement or capability upgrade can often support both aircraft,’ said Nate Green, Bell H-1 programme manager.
Bell is currently working to increase the electrical power capacity on the H-1, which will allow the airframe to support the integration of additional capabilities.
Bell provides services to H-1 squadrons, including parts, maintenance, training, on-site field representatives and data analytics.
The US programme of record to procure 160 UH-1Y aircraft was completed in FY2016, while the AH-1Z programme of record was completed in November 2022 with the delivery of the 189th unit to the USMC.
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