OVERVIEW: The Bell UH-1Y Venom (also called Super Huey) is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter, part of the United States Marine Corps' H-1 upgrade program. The helicopter is also called Yankee for its variant letter, Y.

The UH-1Y is currently in full-rate production to replace the USMC's aging fleet of UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters first introduced in the early 1970s. The UH-1Y was to have been remanufactured from UH-1Ns, but in 2005 it was approved for the aircraft to be built as new.

DETAILS: The UH-1Y variant modernizes the UH-1 design. Its most noticeable upgrade over previous variants is a four-blade, all-composite rotor system designed to withstand up to 23 mm rounds. A 21-inch (530 mm) insert just forward of the main door has been installed for more capacity. The UH-1Y features upgraded engines and transmission, a digital cockpit with flat panel multifunctional displays, and an 84% parts commonality with the AH-1Z. Compared to the UH-1N, the Y-model has an almost 125% increased payload, almost 50% greater range, a reduction in vibration, and higher cruise speed.

The Lockheed Martin target sight system (TSS) incorporates a third-generation forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. The TSS provides target sighting in day, night or adverse weather conditions. The system has various view modes and can track with FLIR or by TV. It is also used on the Bell AH-1Z Viper and the KC-130J Harvest HAWK.

TYPE: Twin-engine Medium Size Utility Helicopter.

SPECIFICATIONS: Crew: (1-2) pilots, plus crew chief, other crew members as mission requires || Capacity: 6,660 lb (3,020 kg) including up to 10 crashworthy passenger seats, 6 litters or equivalent cargo || Length: 58 ft 4 in (17.78 m) || Rotor diameter: 48 ft 10 in (14.88 m) || Height: 14 ft 7 in (4.5 m) || Max. takeoff weight: 18,500 lb (8,390 kg) || Powerplant: (2) General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,828 shp for 2.5 min; 1,546 shp continuous (1,360 kW for 2.5 min; 1,150 kW continuous) each.

PERFORMANCE: Max Speed: 164 knots (189 mph, 304 km/h) for 30 minutes || Cruise speed: 158 kt, 182 mph, 293 km/h (long range cruise (LRC): 135 kn, 155 mph, 250 km/h) || Combat radius: 130 nmi (150 mi, 241 km) with 2,182 lb, 990 kg payload || Endurance: 3.3 hr || Service ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,100+ m) || Rate of climb: 2,520 ft/min (12.8 m/s).

SENSORS: AN/AAR-47A (MAWS) Missle Approach Warning System || Target Sight System (TSS) forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor that provides target sighting (day, night or adverse weather conditions) and can track with FLIR or by TV || AN/APR-39B (RWR) Radar Warning Receiver || AN/AVR-2 (LWR) Laser Warning Receiver || AN/ALQ-144A IRCM.

ARMAMENT: (2) external stations || 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 || APKWS II rockets || (2) pintle mounts for 7.62 mm M240D machine guns, .50 BMG GAU-16/A machine guns, or 7.62 mm GAU-17/A Gatling guns.

SOURCE: [SCO] Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org