H-1 UPGRADES

Abstract

The mission of the AH-1 attack helicopter is to provide rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance, survivability enhancements, and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The mission of the UH-1 utility helicopter is to provide command and control and combat assault support under day/night and adverse weather conditions and special operations support; supporting arms coordination and aeromedical evacuation. Major modifications for both aircraft include 37 AH-1Ws converted to AH-1Zs, build 152 new AH-1Zs, remanufacture ten (10) H-1N helicopters and build 150 new UH-1Y models. AH-1Z and UH-1Y models include a 4-bladed, composite rotor system with semi-automatic bladefold, performance-matched transmissions, T700 Engine Digital Electronic Control Units, 4-bladed tail rotors and drive systems, more effective stabilizers, upgraded landing gear, and common, fully integrated cockpits and avionics systems. These upgrades add 10,000 flight hours to AH-1Z/UH-1Y airframes. The fully integrated cockpits reduce operator workload and improve situational awareness, thus increasing safety and reducing the rate of aircraft attrition. They provide considerable growth potential for future weapon systems and avionics to significantly increase mission effectiveness and survivability. The cockpits also include integration of onboard mission planning, communications, digital fire control, self-navigation, night navigation/targeting, air-to-ground missile and air-launched intercept missile weapon systems management in nearly identical crew stations, which significantly reduces training requirements. These upgrades maximize commonality between the two aircraft and provide needed improvements in crew and passenger survivability, payload, power available, endurance, range, airspeed, maneuverability and supportability. This budget is required for follow-on improvements to H-1 aircraft via integration of sensors and weapons, avionics, and air vehicle components that will address deficiencies, systems safety, obsolescence, readiness, reliability, supportability, and relevance in the battlespace. Improvements will include all associated System Configuration Set (SCS) updates as well as integration and testing related to the aircraft platforms.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2022
Source ID
0604245M_5_1319_PB_2022
Change Summary Explanation
The FY 2022 funding request was reduced by $14.429M as a result of a $13.791M USMC Force Design Guidance reduction and $0.638M in miscellaneous and working capital fund rate changes. Technical: None Schedule: None
Service Agency Name
Navy

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Cyber
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Computer Programs
  • Control Systems
  • Cross Domain
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Inertial Navigation Systems
  • Navigation
  • Precision-Guided Munitions
  • Software Development
  • Structural Components
  • Systems Engineering
  • Systems Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Equipment
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems

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