THE LONG-AWAITED entry into service of the LHTEC T800 turbo-shaft is expected in July, when the US Border Patrol is scheduled to take delivery of its first re-engine Bell UH-1H Huey.
LHTEC, a joint venture between Allison Engine and AlliedSignal Engines, revealed at the Paris air show that the US Army's Airworthiness Qualification Directorate has "flight-approved" the engine.
The formal clearance of the T800 for use in the UH-1H comes after extensive tests conducted by the US Army at Edwards AFB, California, earlier this year.
Each of the Border Patrol's five UH-1Hs is expected to be flown for around 500h during a 12-month period. LHTEC says that the operation will give the US Army "valuable experience with the T800", which was originally developed for the Boeing/ Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche.
The reduced fuel consumption of the T800 is also expected to give the Border Patrol a 70% increase in endurance time on patrol.
Of the 1,200 flying hours, which have been credited to the T800 to date, some 650 have been accumulated in the UH-1H.
Source: Flight International
