By JOHN C. MILLIMAN
Air ASW Assault and Special Mission Program Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—After proving itself against Atlanta traffic and the recent Southern Maryland tornados, AH-1Z-3 arrived by truck Friday from the Bell Helicopter Textron plant in Fort Worth, Texas.

Program officials were obliged to use 19th Century transportation technology to bring the 21st Century warbird here due to Air Force heavy lift assets being preoccupied with Operation Enduring Freedom missions. Taking a somewhat circuitous route to avoid low bridges, known construction areas and the like, Zulu 3 still arrived three days ahead of schedule.

Zulu Three is the second prototype of the next generation Cobra attack helicopter to arrive here for testing and the first complete with the cockpit and propulsion system upgrade.

After reassembly, the aircraft will join Zulu One in flight testing by members of the program’s integrated test team here. So far, the team has nearly 250 flight hours with Zulu One under its belt and is involved with flight envelope expansion. After completing its testing here, Zulu Three will go to California for weapons system testing.

Zulu Two is in flight test in Texas. It is being fitted with complete engineering instrumentation to help testers assess its capabilities and performance.

The first of the UH-1Y Huey prototypes should arrive for testing during May. All five Y and Z test aircraft are scheduled to be here by the end of June.

The H-1 Upgrade Program is upgrading the Marine Corps’ aging fleet of combat utility and attack helicopters by remanufacturing UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Super Cobras. The new versions, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z, share a common drive train, rotor head, tail boom, avionics, software and controls for more than 80 percent commonality between the two aircraft.

During the 30-year expected lifespan of the aircraft, this commonality is projected to save the Marine Corps approximately $3 billion in operating and support costs, according to program officials.

And because of the Marines’ unique expeditionary nature, this commonality will also reduce the logistical “foot print” of Marine light attack helicopter squadrons, or HMLA’s, that operate both aircraft. The common features of the aircraft mean less spare parts will be required to be kept on hand, fewer maintainers will be needed, training for aircrew and maintainers will be simpler and deployments will be easier.

The Corps’ current Huey fleet, the UH-1N, is expected to exceed its planned service life of 10,000 hours in FY04. Designed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, the current fleet has never had a service life extension or upgrade.

While not as “experienced” as the Huey, the Corps’ current fleet of Super Cobras is also showing its age and is facing increasing challenges on the 21st Century battlefield. The upgrades being made to both aircraft, in addition to making them easier to field and maintain, will make them easier to fly, faster, more capable and more survivable.

For more information, please contact:
John C. Milliman, Public Affairs Officer
Air ASW Assault and Special Mission Program (PMA-276)
21960 Nickles Road Bldg. 3221 Unit 4
Patuxent River MD 20670-1539
301-995-7410 or [email protected]

PHOTO CAPTION:
Zulu Three arrives at HX-21 here Friday from the Bell Helicopter Textron plant in Fort Worth, Texas after successfully negotiating Atlanta traffic, low bridges and tornados enroute. The aircraft is the second of five AH-1Z and UH-1Y engineering manufacturing development aircraft that will be in test here by the end of June.