SNC offers Sierra Force for UH-1N replacement programme
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has submitted its Sierra Force helicopter in its final bid and proposal to replace the US Air Force’s (USAF) UH-1N Huey fleet, the company announced on 23 July.
Sierra Force is a multi-mission aircraft that uses a modernised and remanufactured UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.
SNC will purchase divested UH-60A helicopters from the US Army and convert its exterior and interior to upgrade it to a UH-60L model.
The Sierra Force helicopter production plan includes acquisition of UH-60A helicopters through the US Army’s Blackhawk Exchange Support Team programme in Huntsville, Alabama and A-to-L conversion by the Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texas. Upgrade, missionisation and delivery activities will be conducted at SNC’s Huntsville facility.
The A model has a lower price-per-unit to purchase, but once the conversion to an L model is complete, Sierra Force will be a new aircraft. The Sierra Force UH-60L will be equipped with two new General Electric Aviation T-701D engines and a glass cockpit and avionics suite. The metal airframe of the Sierra Force will provide the aircraft a longer service life with low maintenance costs.
Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s Integrated Mission Systems business area, said: ‘Our proposal is based on an open system where the government owns most of the intellectual property and will not be locked in with SNC for the 40-year programme period. This translates into cost savings for the government over the course of the programme.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
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.
