Northrop Grumman enhances USN Hueys
The UH-1 "Huey" has been in service since 1956, Northrop Grumman's avionic upgrade should keep the platform in service for years to come. (Photo: Norhtrop Grumman)
The USN has contracted Northrop Grumman to improve the avionics of its AH-1Z and UH-1Y fleets in order to keep the platform flying.
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract by the USN to execute full-rate production of Link 16 for USMC AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys, to include fleetwide integration of data link hardware.
The contract is valued at around $65 million and was announced on 9 March 2022.
Link 16 is a secure data link that allows AH-1Z and UH-1Y crews to share data and communications with other aircraft and user on military networks.
This capability is a critical mission enabler as the US DoD moves to Join-All-Domain Command and Control.
As lead technology integrator for AH-1Z and UH-1Y avionics, Northrop Grumman’s mission systems solution has accumulated more than 450,000 flight hours.
The innovative processes, capabilities and open architecture developed for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y fleets are directly applicable to other platforms.
In particular, these processes could be utilised in future aircraft development programmes such as NAVAIR Vertical Take OFF and Landing Family of Systems, MUX and others.
Lindsay McEwen, VP, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman, comments that the company will: ‘modernise electronic systems across the fleet’ and that ‘Link-16 full rate production is the starting point’.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
