This means that calibres that are 7.62 mm and below could potentially be stopped by the fuselage for a few hundred shots until the fuselage starts giving warning when it slowly becomes yellow or orange. Pick and choose your battles to preserve the helicopter.īut the "thin metal fuselage" is still a "metal", it would provide minor, temporary protection for the interior modules (i.e. The pilot must be aware of their surrounds and work to fight from the enemy vehicles blind spots or weak sides, because a burning and crashed helicopter only pads the enemies' score-count. The engine, transmission, main rotor and tail rotors are all exposed to fire from missiles, rockets, cannons and even small calibre machine guns. Bull rushing right into the middle of a battlefield usually ends with disastrous results as the without armour, the Huey has nothing but thin metal fuselage coverings to protect the crew and vital equipment. As such, the pilot must take this into account and fly the helicopter accordingly. The UH-1C does not fly with any protective armour or bullet-proof glass, which if installed would decrease the UH-1's ability to complete its mission. The Huey balances this out with a vehicle which can manoeuvre as needed and carry a decent payload whether people or weapon systems. The helicopter's setup is such that it must take off and land vertically, hover and fly and as the aircraft gets heavier, bigger and heavier equipment are needed to balance until you are left with a massive helicopter which cannot fly or do its intended mission. Maximum Gross Weight: 10,500 pounds (4,763 kilograms)Ĭeiling: 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) for gross weights above 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms)ĭiameter of Main Rotor: 48 feet (14.63 meters)ĭiameter of Tail Rotor: 8 feet, 6 inches (2.Helicopters have a unique role on the battlefield and fitting them with armour is not as easy as it is on a tank or on a jet. Power Plant: Two Pratt and Whitney T400-CP-400 turboshaft engines and 512th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.Ĭontractor: Bell Helicopter (A Textron company) 459th Airlift Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan 40th FLTS, Eglin AFB, Fla. Other squadrons/flights include: 1st Helicopter Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. Warren AFB, Wyo., the 54th Helicopter Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D., and the 40th Helicopter Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Under the 582d are three operational squadrons: the 37th Helicopter Squadron, F.E. Within AFGSC, UH-1N's are assigned to the 582d Helicopter Group, headquartered at F. Manufactured by Bell Helicopter/Textron Inc., the UH-1N is the military version of the Bell 212, one of the more than 15 variants of the original "Huey" first designed and flown in 1956. HH-1H's and UH-1F's supporting the missile wings were eventually replaced by the UH-1N due to the greater safety and capability offered by the twin engine. The missions expanded to include missile, distinguished visitor, survival school support, test support and air advisor operations. The UH-1 entered the Air Force inventory in 1970 to provide search and rescue capabilities. Access to the cabin is through two full-sized sliding doors. Without seats or litters, the cabin can carry bulky, oversized cargo. The medical evacuation configuration can accommodate up to six litters. When configured for passengers, the UH-1N can seat up to 13 people, but actual passenger loads are dependent on fuel loads and atmospheric conditions (may be less). The crew complement is normally three (Pilot, Co-Pilot, and Flight Engineer), but may be flown single-pilot depending on weather and mission requirements. The UH-1N is capable of flight in instrument and nighttime conditions.