Bell's first remanufactured UH-1Y utility helicopter made its maiden flight on 21 December at the firm's flight research centre in Texas. The helicopter is now scheduled to move to the US Navy's Patuxent River test centre, and join the first rebuilt UH-1Z Super Cobra for further testing. Bell is due to deliver two more AH-1Zs and a second UH-1Y. The UH-IY has been re-engined with General Electric T700 turboshafts that also power the Cobra, and will share features with the AH-1Z . The US Marine Corps plans to modernise 100 of its UH-1N and 180 AH-1W helicopters.
Source: Flight International