A Bell UH-1Y utility helicopter upgraded for the US Marine Corps has completed tests of its Special Warfare equipment kit at Quantico, Virginia. A 10-day exercise tested the ability of the remanufactured Twin Huey to insert Marines into special warfare situations where landings are impossible. The tests deployed Reconnaissance Marines by Special Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) rig, rappelling, fast roping, and free-fall and static line parachute drops.

Special warfare missions are important to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force concept and Navy Sea Strike core capabilities. The remanufactured UH-1Y with twin General Electric T700-GE-401C engines, new transmission, and four-bladed rotor system, corrects the power and weight restrictions that limit today's UH-1N in the Special Warfare role.

The UH-1Y recently received approval for low-rate initial production. Full-rate production of the UH-1Y utility and AH-1Z attack helicopters is due to start in 2006. The Marine Corps expects to buy 100 UH-1Y Hueys and 180 AH-1Z Super Cobras by 2014.

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