The Bell Huey family of
helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which Lift (force), lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning Helicopter rotor, rotors. This allows the helicopter to VTOL, take off and land vertically, to hover (helicopter), hover, and ...
s includes a wide range of civil and military aircraft produced since 1956 by
Bell Helicopter
Bell Textron Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. A subsidiary of Textron, Bell manufactures military rotorcraft at facilities in Fort Worth, and Amarillo, Texas, United States as well as commercial heli ...
. This H-1 family of aircraft includes the utility
UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey") is a utility military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace company Bell Helicopter. It is the first member of the prolific Huey family, as well as the first turbine-powered helic ...
and the derivative
AH-1 Cobra
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a single-engined attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter. A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.
The A ...
attack helicopter series and ranges from the
XH-40 prototype, first flown in October 1956, to the 21st-century
UH-1Y Venom
The Bell UH-1Y Venom (also called Super Huey) is a twin-engine, 4-blade, medium-sized utility helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under the H-1 upgrade program of the United States Marine Corps. One of the latest members of the numerous Huey ...
and
AH-1Z Viper
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter. It is one of the latest members of the prolific Bell Huey family. It is oft ...
. Although not flown in military service in the USA, the Bell 412 served in Canada and Japan and, like the UH-1Y, is a twin engine four rotor design based on the Bell 212.
Military designations (UH-1 and AH-1)

;
XH-40
:The initial Bell 204 prototype. Three prototypes were built.
[Mutza, Wayne. UH-1 Huey In Action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1986. .]
;
YH-40
:Six aircraft for evaluation, as XH-40 with 12-inch cabin stretch and other modifications.
;
Bell 533
The Bell 533 was a research helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under contract with the United States Army during the 1960s, to explore the limits and conditions experienced by helicopter rotors at high airspeeds. The helicopter was a YH-40—a ...
:One YH-40BF rebuilt as a flight test bed with turbofan engines and wings.
;
HU-1A
:Initial Bell 204 production model, redesignated as the UH-1A in 1962.
[Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Hersham, Surrey, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. .] The HU-1 designation gave rise to the popular but unofficial nickname "Huey".
;
TH-1A
:UH-1A with dual controls and blind-flying instruments, 14 conversions.
;
XH-1A
:A single UH-1A was redesignated for grenade launcher testing in 1960.
;
HU-1B
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter, first introduced in 1959, is the first production member of Bell Helicopter's prolific Huey family of helicopters, and was itself developed in over twenty variants, which are listed below.
XH-40 and YH ...
:Upgraded HU-1A, various external and rotor improvements. Redesignated UH-1B in 1962.
;YUH-1B
:UH-1B prototypes
;NUH-1B
:A single test aircraft, serial number 64-18261.
;
UH-1C
:UH-1B with improved engine, modified blades and rotor-head for better performance in the gunship role.
;
YUH-1D
:Seven pre-production prototypes of the UH-1D.
;
UH-1D
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter, first introduced in 1959, is the first production member of Bell Helicopter's prolific Huey family of helicopters, and was itself developed in over twenty variants, which are listed below.
XH-40 and Y ...
:Initial Bell 205 production model (long fuselage version of the 204). Also built under license in Germany by
Dornier Dornier may refer to:
* Claudius Dornier (1884–1969), German aircraft designer and builder
** Dornier Flugzeugwerke, German aircraft manufacturer founded in 1914 by Claudius Dornier
* Dornier Consulting, international consulting and project manag ...
.
;
HH-1D
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter, first introduced in 1959, is the first production member of Bell Helicopter's prolific Huey family of helicopters, and was itself developed in over twenty variants, which are listed below.
XH-40 and YH ...
:Rescue/fire fighting variant of UH-1D.
;
AH-1E
:98 production Cobra gunships with the Enhanced Cobra Armament System (ECAS) featuring the M97A1 armament subsystem with a three-barreled M197 20 mm cannon. The AH-1E is also referred to as the "Upgunned AH-1S", or "AH-1S(ECAS)" prior to 1988.
;
UH-1E
:UH-1B/C for USMC with different avionics and equipment.
;NUH-1E
:UH-1E configured for testing.
;
TH-1E
:UH-1C configured for Marine Corps training. Twenty built in 1965.
;
AH-1F
:"Modernized AH-1S", with upgraded avionics and defensive systems.
;
UH-1F
:UH-1B/C for the USAF, with General Electric T-58-GE-3 engine of 1,325 shp.
;
TH-1F
:Instrument and Rescue Trainer based on the UH-1F for the USAF.
;UH-1G
:Designation given locally to UH-1D/H gunships operating with the Cambodia armed forces.
;
AH-1G
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a single-engined attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter. A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.
The AH ...
:Initial 1966 production model of the Cobra gunship for the US Army, with one 1,400 shp Avco Lycoming T53-13 turboshaft.
;JAH-1G
:One Cobra helicopter modified for armament testing, including Hellfire missiles and multi-barrel cannon.
[Donald, David. ''The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft''. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. .]
;TH-1G
:Two-seat dual-control Cobra trainer.

;
UH-1H
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter, first introduced in 1959, is the first production member of Bell Helicopter's prolific Huey family of helicopters, and was itself developed in over twenty variants, which are listed below.
XH-40 and Y ...
:Improved UH-1D with a
Lycoming T-53-L-13 engine of 1,400 shp; 5,435 built.
Also built under license in Taiwan by
AIDC.
;
CUH-1H
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter, first introduced in 1959, is the first production member of Bell Helicopter's prolific Huey family of helicopters, and was itself developed in over twenty variants, which are listed below.
XH-40 and YH ...
:
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...
designation for the UH-1H utility transport helicopter. Redesignated CH-118.
;
EH-1H
:Twenty-two aircraft converted by installation of AN/ARQ-33 radio intercept and jamming equipment for Project Quick Fix.
;HH-1H
:
SAR variant for the USAF with rescue hoist.
30 built.
;JUH-1
:Five UH-1Hs converted to SOTAS battlefield surveillance configuration with belly-mounted airborne radar.
;TH-1H
:Modified UH-1Hs for use as basic helicopter flight trainers by the USAF.
;
AH-1J
The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engined attack helicopter that was developed on behalf of, and primarily operated by, the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The twin Cobra family, itself part of the larger Huey family, includes the AH-1J Se ...
:Original twin-engine SeaCobra version, subsequently upgraded and exported to Iran as AH-1J "International"
;UH-1J
:An improved Japanese version of the UH-1H built under license in Japan by Fuji was locally given the designation UH-1J.
;
HH-1K
:Purpose-built SAR variant of the Model 204 for the US Navy with USN avionics and equipment.
27 built.
;
TH-1L
:Helicopter flight trainer based on the HH-1K for the USN.
;
UH-1L
:Utility variant of the TH-1L.
;
UH-1M
:Gunship specific UH-1C upgrade with
Lycoming T-53-L-13 engine of 1,400 shp.
;
UH-1N
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 ...
:Initial
Bell 212
The Bell 212 (also known as the ''Bell Two-Twelve'') is a two-blade, twin-engine, medium helicopter that first flew in 1968. Originally manufactured by Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, production was moved to Mirabel, Queb ...
production model, the Bell "Twin Pac" twin-engined Huey.
;HH-1N
:Rescue version of the UH-1N
;
AH-1P
:100 production aircraft with composite rotors, flat plate glass cockpit, and improved cockpit layout for nap-of-earth (NOE) flight. The AH-1P is also referred to as the "Production AH-1S", or "AH-1S(PROD)" prior to 1988.
;
UH-1P
:UH-1F variant for USAF for special operations use and attack operations used solely by the USAF
20th Special Operations Squadron
The 20th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates Bell Boeing CV-22 Ospreys on special operations missions. It traces its history back to the activation of the 20th ...
, "the Green Hornets".
;YAH-1Q
:Eight AH-1Gs with XM26 Telescopic Sight Unit (TSU) and two M56 TOW 4-pack launchers.
;AH-1Q
:Upgraded AH-1G equipped with the M65
TOW/Cobra missile subsystem, M65 Telescopic Sight Unit (TSU), and M73 Reflex sight.
;YAH-1R
:AH-1G powered by a T53-L-703 engine without TOW system.
;AH-1RO
:Proposed version for Romania as Dracula.

;YAH-1S
:AH-1Q upgrade and TOW system.
;
AH-1S
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a single-engined attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter. A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.
The ...
:AH-1Q upgraded with a 1,800 shp T53-L-703 turboshaft engine.
;
AH-1T
:Named Improved SeaCobra, features an extended tailboom and fuselage and an upgraded transmission and engines.
;UH-1U
:Single prototype for Counter Mortar/Counter Battery Radar Jamming aircraft. Crashed at Edwards AFB during testing.
;
UH-1V
:Aeromedical evacuation, rescue version for the US Army.
;
AH-1W
The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engined attack helicopter that was developed on behalf of, and primarily operated by, the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The twin Cobra family, itself part of the larger Huey family, includes the AH-1J ...
:SuperCobra variant, nicknamed "Whiskey Cobra", day/night version with more powerful engines and advanced weapons capability.
;
EH-1X
:
Electronic warfare UH-1Hs converted under "Quick Fix IIA".
;
UH-1Y Venom
The Bell UH-1Y Venom (also called Super Huey) is a twin-engine, 4-blade, medium-sized utility helicopter built by Bell Helicopter under the H-1 upgrade program of the United States Marine Corps. One of the latest members of the numerous Huey ...
:Named Venom, upgraded variant developed from existing upgraded late model UH-1Ns, with additional emphasis on commonality with the AH-1Z as part of the
H-1 upgrade program
The H-1 upgrade program is the United States Marine Corps's program to develop the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom military helicopters to replace its aging fleets of AH-1W SuperCobras and UH-1N Twin Hueys. The contract was awarded in 1996 to Bell Hel ...
.
;
AH-1Z Viper
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter. It is one of the latest members of the prolific Bell Huey family. It is oft ...
:Named Viper, or also "Zulu Cobra", it includes an upgraded 4 blade main rotor and adds the Night Targeting System (NTS). Offered as King Cobra to Turkey for its ATAK program and selected for production in 2000, but later canceled.

;UH-1/T700
:Upgraded commercial version, named Ultra Huey, fitted with a 1,400-kW (1900-shp) General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engine.
;
CH-118
:Canadian Forces designation for the UH-1H
;
CH-135
:Canadian Forces designation for the UH-1N Twin Huey
;
CH-146
The Bell CH-146 Griffon is a multi-role utility helicopter designed by Bell Helicopter Textron as a variant of the Bell 412EP for the Canadian Armed Forces. It is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance, sear ...
:Canadian Forces designation for a variant of the
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. It is a twin-turbine helicopter that has been ...
;Griffin HT1
:
RAF designation for a trainer based on the 412EP
;Griffin HAR2
:RAF designation for a
search and rescue
Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...
helicopter based on the Bell 412EP
Civil designations

;
Bell 204B
The Bell 204 and 205 are the civilian versions of the UH-1 Iroquois single-engine military helicopter of the Huey family of helicopters. They are type-certificated in the transport category and are used in a wide variety of applications, inc ...
:11 seat utility transport helicopter; the civil certified model was based at the military model 204, known by the
US Army
The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...
as the UH-1B.
[FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet H1SW for the 204, 205A, 205A-1 and 210 models]
/ref>
; Agusta-Bell AB 204
:11 seat utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta
Agusta was an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It was based in Samarate, Northern Italy. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first aeroplane in 1907. The MV Agusta motorcycle manufacturer began as an offshoot ...
.
; Agusta-Bell AB 204AS
:Anti-submarine warfare, anti-shipping version of the AB 204 helicopter.
; Fuji-Bell 204B-2
:11 seat utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries
, formerly , is a Japanese multinational corporation and conglomerate primarily involved in both terrestrial and aerospace transportation manufacturing. It is best known for its line of Subaru automobiles. Founded in 1953, the company was named ...
.
; Bell 205A
:15 seat utility transport helicopter.[
; Agusta-Bell 205
:15 seat utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta.
; Bell 205A-1
:15 seat utility transport helicopter, initial version based on the UH-1H.][
; Agusta-Bell 205A-1
:Modified version of the AB 205.
; Fuji-Bell 205A-1
:15 seat utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Japan by Fuji.
; Bell 205A+
:Field upgraded 205A utilizing a T53-17 engine and a 212 rotor system. Similar to the production 205B and 210.
; Bell 205A-1A
:A 205A-1, but with armament hardpoints and military avionics. Produced specifically for Israeli contract.
; Fuji-Bell 205B
:A joint Bell-Fuji commercial variant based on UH-1J, a Japanese improved model of UH-1H.
; Agusta-Bell 205BG
:Prototype fitted with two Gnome H 1200 turboshaft engines.]
; Agusta-Bell 205TA
:Prototype fitted with two Turbomeca Astazous turboshaft engines.
; Bell 208
:Experimental twin-engine "Twin Huey" prototype.
; Bell 209
:Original AH-1G prototype with retractable skid landing gear.
; Bell 210
:15 seat upgraded 205A[
; Bell 211
:The ''HueyTug'', was a commercial version of the UH-1C with an upgraded transmission, longer main rotor, larger tailboom, strengthened fuselage, stability augmentation system, and a 2,650 shp (1,976 kW) Lycoming T-55-L-7 turboshaft engine.]
;Bell 212
The Bell 212 (also known as the ''Bell Two-Twelve'') is a two-blade, twin-engine, medium helicopter that first flew in 1968. Originally manufactured by Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, production was moved to Mirabel, Queb ...
:15 seat twin-engined derivative of the Bell 205
; Bell 214 Huey Plus
:Strengthened development of the Bell 205 airframe with a larger engine
;Bell 214ST
The Bell 214ST is a medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter descended from Bell Helicopter's ubiquitous UH-1 Huey series. Though it shares a type number with the somewhat-related Bell 214, the 214ST is larger and of quite different appearance.
...
:18 seat twin engined utility helicopter
; Bell 249
:Experimental AH-1 demonstrator version fitted with a four-bladed rotor system, an uprated engine and experimental equipment, including Hellfire missiles.[Bishop, Chris. ''Huey Cobra Gunships''. Osprey Publishing, 2006. .]
;Bell 309 KingCobra
The Bell Model 309 KingCobra was an experimental attack helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter, based on the Bell AH-1 Cobra.
Design and development
Background
The AH-1 Cobra was developed in the mid-1960s as an interim gunship for the U.S. A ...
: Experimental version powered by one Lycoming T-55-L-7C engine.
;Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. It is a twin-turbine helicopter that has been ...
:Bell 212 with a four-bladed semi-rigid rotor system.
; Bell Huey II
:A modified and re-engined UH-1H, significantly upgrading its performance, and its cost-effectiveness. Currently offered by Bell to all current military users of the type.
; Global Eagle
:Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC or P&WC) is a Canada-based aircraft engine manufacturer. PWC's headquarters are in Longueuil, Quebec, south of Montreal. It is a division of the larger US-based Pratt & Whitney (P&W), itself a business unit of RTX ...
name for a modified UH-1H with a new PT6C-67D engine, modified tail rotor, and other minor changes to increase range and fuel efficiency over the Bell 212.
; Huey 800
:Upgraded commercial version, fitted with an LHTEC T800 turboshaft engine.
;Panha Shabaviz 2-75
Iran Helicopter Support and Renovation Company (IHSRC) (, abbreviated as , PANHA) is an Iranian helicopter manufacturing company.
History
Following the purchase by Iran of some Italian helicopters from Agusta Company, it became important to est ...
:Unlicensed version made by PANHA
Iran Helicopter Support and Renovation Company (IHSRC) (, abbreviated as , PANHA) is an Iranian helicopter manufacturing company.
History
Following the purchase by Iran of some Italian helicopters from Agusta Company, it became important to es ...
in Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
.
; Panha 2091
:Unlicensed Iranian upgrade of the AH-1J International.
See also
* List of Bell UH-1 Iroquois operators
* List of utility helicopters
* Super Huey UH-IX 1980s video game
References
{{US helicopters
H
United States military helicopters
1950s United States helicopters
1960s United States helicopters
1970s United States helicopters
1950s United States military utility aircraft
1960s United States military utility aircraft
1970s United States military utility aircraft