Bell UH-1N Iroquois

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 sent to front line combat units in Vietnam in October 1970. In 1971, the Canadian Forces, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Navy all received their first examples. Bell was quick to adapt the Twin Huey into a civilian helicopter, the Bell 212, and the later Bell 412. The Twin Huey saw 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 ICBM launch sites, and were 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.

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