Bell believes Asia-Pacific presents a potential growth market for sales of the upgraded Cobra attack helicopter and the UH-1N utility helicopter.
Bell is talking to a number of potential customers in the region about the aircraft, which will be redesignated as the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y once fitted with common engines and flight dynamics. One of the key prospects is in Taiwan, where the US government has approved the release of pricing and availability information on the AH-1Z to the Taiwan army. The AH-1Z is competing against Boeing's AH-64 Apache, which is also cleared by the government in the same way.
Taiwan already operates a fleet of 62 AH-1W Super Cobras which Bell would like to see upgraded to the Zulu standard.
The US Defense Acquisition Board gave approval last October for Bell to remanufacture six UH-1Ns and three AH-1Ws during 2004. A second low rate initial production (LRIP) lot of aircraft should enter production next year.
The H-1 upgrades include GE-T700 engines, identical four-blade all-composite, bearingless main rotor system and tail rotor, drive trains, hydraulics and electrical distribution systems.
PAUL DERBY
Source: Flight Daily News
