| UH-1N Iroquois CH-135 Twin Huey | |
|---|---|
_261_(cropped).jpg) A UH-1N "Huey" from squadron VMM-261, (Reinforced), 2012 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | United States / Canada |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Air Force United States Marine Corps (historical) Canadian Forces (historical) United States Navy (historical) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1969–1970s |
| Introduction date | October 1970 |
| First flight | April 1969 |
| Developed from | Bell UH-1H Iroquois |
| Variants | Bell 212 Bell 412 Bell UH-1Y Venom |
The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter. It is a member of the extensive Huey family, the initial version was the CUH-1N Twin Huey (later CH-135 Twin Huey), which was first ordered by the Canadian Forces in 1968.
Barely a year following initial discussions, the UH-1N performed its maiden flight in April 1969. Its procurement by the US military was initially controversial due to the high level of Canadian content, such as its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T turboshaft engines. However, the acquisition was approved and the Twin Huey was quickly delivered to the United States Air Force and being sent to front line combat units in Vietnam in October 1970. The following year, the Canadian Forces, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Navy all received their first examples; Bell was also quick to adapt the Twin Huey into a civilian helicopter, the Bell 212, as well as the later Bell 412.[1]
The Twin Huey would see service in numerous conflicts, the first being the Vietnam War, where they were commonly used to support Special Forces reconnaissance missions. On the home front, they were used as the main utility helicopter at various ICBM launch sites, as well as operating as executive transports for carrying the US president and other high-ranking officials by Marine Helicopter Squadron One. USMC UH-1Ns were active during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, providing reconnaissance, communications, and close air support to ground forces. Overseas, UH-1Ns participated in the Colombian armed conflict and the Falklands War. In the 2010s and 2020s, multiple operators were in the process of replacing the Twin Huey with newer helicopters, such as the Bell UH-1Y Venom (a development of the UH-1N) and the AgustaWestland AW139.