WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The Air Force announced today that each UH-1N Huey location will receive replacement aircraft.
A UH-1N Huey helicopter prepares to land at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Air Force bases currently flying the UH-1N will receive upgraded aircraft sometime between 2020 and 2032. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The Air Force is replacing the UH-1N Huey 46-year-old fleet by procuring new replacement aircraft to support four missions – Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Continuation of Government Operations, Survival School support, and Test and Training.
Current UH-1N Huey locations include Eglin Air Force Base’s Duke Field, Florida; Fairchild AFB, Washington; FE Warren AFB, Wyoming; Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, Maryland; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; and Minot AFB, North Dakota.
The Air Force UH-1N Huey replacement program supports the Defense Department’s principal priority to maintain a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent that safeguards the homeland, assures allies and deters adversaries. The replacement for the UH-1N Huey will feature significant improvements in the areas of speed, range, endurance, payload capacity and survivability.
Each stateside active duty UH-1N Huey location will receive replacement aircraft pending the outcome of the environmental analysis.
The 2016 Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Requirements Oversight Council approved the purchase of new aircraft to replace the 46-year-old UH-1N Huey fleet. A contract award for the new aircraft is anticipated later this year with deliveries planned for 2020-2032.
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
Bout time…… 10-15 too late….
This DoD acquisition program has been an abortion….
…Will these aircraft be available for public sale? Asking for a friend whose flown one before….
Respectfully,
Robert K. Preston
Huh did they be already replace the ones at Rucker?
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/05/30/another-air-force-aircraft-contract-just-got-delayed-here-are-the-details/
The Air Force wants to buy 84 new armored helicopters. The Huey replacements must be capable of carrying nine fully loaded troops without needing to be refueled for an endurance of at least 225 nautical miles. They also should be able to fly three hours while maintaining a 135-knot cruise speed.
The competition comes down to three entrants: Sikorsky’s HH-60U, a version of the Black Hawk with rescue hoist and electro-optical sensor; a Boeing-Leonardo team that is putting forward the MH-139, a militarized version of the commercial AW139 helicopter; and Sierra Nevada Corp., which is offering life-extended versions of used Army UH-60Ls.