Pacific Stars and Stripes information
For date 700419
Primary service involved, US Army
South Vietnam
Location, Saigon
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "New, Safer Huey Delivered to Army."
Washington (S&S Washington Bureau) - Army Secretary Stanley R. Resor has announced the acceptance of the first production UH1 helicopter equipped with a newly-developed crash resistant fuel system. The UH1, or Huey, is widely used in Vietnam for troop transport and combat assault. Maj. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr., director of Army Aviation, who accepted the aircraft for the Army at the Bell helicopter Co.'s plant at Fort Worth, Tex., heralded the new system as a safety breakthrough of major significance to civil and military aviation. The Army estimates the new system will reduce deaths and injuries from crash fires by more than 70 per cent. It is designed to minimize fire hazards caused by crash ruptured tanks and lines through use of high impact strength materials, self-sealing fuel cells and breakaway fuel lines and valves. The crash resistant system was designed for use in the UH1D helicopters and has recently been approved for installation in the AH1G cobra gunships and the older model Hueys. The UH1 series of aircraft have been the mainstay of the Army's airmobility in Vietnam. The Army is currently planning for the expansion of the new fuel system to include OH58, OH6 and CH47 helicopters.
The source for this information was 7004pss.avn supplied by Les Hines 02/02/2000
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Last updated
02/03/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023