BELL HELICOPTER Textron is to upgrade as many as 14 UH-1 Huey helicopters now used by Colombia for drug-interdiction and other military missions. The modernisation project, which has yet to be formally announced, gives Bell the lead on two other joint ventures seeking UH-1 re-engineing contracts.
In recent years Bell, with the AlliedSignal Engines T-53-703-powered Huey II, has competed with Global Helicopter with the LHTEC T800-powered Huey 800, and US Helicopter with the General Electric T700-701C-powered Ultra Huey.
All the upgrades were demonstrated in Colombia where the Colombian air force and national police operate more than 32 T-53-powered UH-1Hs.
The helicopter modernisation is being handled as a commercial transaction, say sources. Upgrade kits will be shipped to Bell's local partner - Industrial Aeronautical of Colombia - where they will be installed in as few as Ìve or as many as 14 UH-1Hs.
"Many foreign countries are interested in UH-1 upgrades, but don't want to be responsible for non-recurring engineering and qualification costs. Bell now has Colombia to launch its programme," says one US official.
Meanwhile, seven Bell 212s and three Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60s operated by the Colombian Government will be equipped with GAU-19/A, .50 caliber three-barrel Gatling guns made by General Dynamics Armament Systems. Company officials are now awaiting a solicitation for a UH-1H weapons upgrade.
Source: Flight International
