Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, continues to support the needs of Bell Huey helicopter operators worldwide with its UH-1H³ (“Hot, High, Heavy”) upgrade & modernization program.

Developed as a cost-effective means of enhancing the performance of the enduring UH-1H platform, 1,500 of which remain in service worldwide, the UH-1H³ ‘Hot, High, Heavy’ upgrade offers operators a portfolio of technical solutions with which to customize the Huey to their specific requirements.  These include:

·         High performance tailboom, with upgraded upper longerons, improved skins, BLR FastFin^® and dual strake system

·         Upgraded main rotor transmission, hub, swashplate assembly, stabilizer and blades

·         Upgraded main and tail rotor drive shaft and couplings

·         Upgraded tail rotor, tail rotor gearbox and push-pull tube control system

·         Airframe upgrade, including lift beam, main beam and cross tube tunnel

·         Honeywell T53-L-703 engine

Vector also offers a range of electrical and avionics upgrades to complement the UH-1H³ ‘Hot, High, Heavy’ upgrade, including complete airframe rewire, instrument panel modifications and three- or four-screen glass cockpit avionics suites.

Customers for the UH-1H³ upgrade include the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD), which operates the UH-1H in support of a wide range of missions across the San Bernardino Valley and San Bernardino Mountains, including search & rescue, fire suppression and homeland security.  Vector is proud to serve the SBCSD, and will be delivering an upgraded UH-1H³ – complete with Garmin GTN 650H GPS/nav/comms and GTX transponder, integrated to display TCAS, HTAWS and ADS-B – back to them this week to the support the Department’s missions.