As I like the twin versions ...
First USMC UH-1Y Helo Rolls Out at Bell's Flight Research Center The Venerable UH-1 Gets A Major Upgrade
Bell Helicopter unveiled the first UH-1Y utility transport helicopter the company is producing for the US Marine Corps.
Bell will produce 100 UH-1Y aircraft as part of the $4.5 Billion H-1 Program which also includes 180 AH-1Z attack helicopters. The event at Bell's Flight Research Center located at Arlington Municipal Airport was attended by a large number of Marine aviators including Lt. Gen. William Nyland, Deputy Marine Corps Commandant for Aviation.
The H-1 Program is a major upgrade to remanufacture the US Marine Corps fleet of AH-1W SuperCobra and UH-1N utility helicopters to an advanced configuration featuring common engines and flight dynamics.
The H-1 upgrades include an enormous amount of commonality between the two aircraft including engines (GE-T700 engines), four blade all composite, hingeless, bearingless main rotor system and tail rotor, identical drive trains, hydraulics and electrical distribution systems.
By utilizing common systems the cost of the logistics support process for the two helicopters reduces dramatically allowing for vastly improved shipboard operability.
Far less critical shipboard space will be needed to store spare parts and support equipment to support the two helicopters comprising the H-1 Program.
First flight of the UH-1Y is scheduled for later this month. At full production the H-1 Program will employ approximately 300 people at Bell Helicopter.
Looks like they squared off the intakes, and it has a Cobra style exhaust.
[ 20 December 2001: Message edited by: RW-1 ]</p>