UH-1H / Black Widow Upgrade Program
BLACK WIDOW HELICOPTERS is pleased to present the UH-1H BLACK WIDOW, the next generation alternative replacement solution for the legendary Bell UH-1H.
With over 10 000 UH-1/Model 205 variants manufactured, the Huey is a difficult machine to replace. With its large cabin, impressive payload capability, relatively low cost of operation and acquisition, there can be no doubt the type remains an attractive solution to many rotary wing requirements. The Bell UH-1H Black Widow upgrade is probably one of the most significant and comprehensive upgrade programs available today to bring a new lease of life to the Bell UH-1 fleet.
It is our mission to enhance the elegantly simple engineering of these iconic airframes with next generation technologies that are both design and function forward.
Whether your mission is troop transport into high altitudes, medical evacuation in hot conditions or transport to and from remote bases, choose the Black Widow.
The Engine
The HUEY TALON utilizes a completely new Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67D series engine. This engine is utilized in many other aircraft and has a proven history of exceptional reliability, fuel economy, and low maintenance requirements.
GLASS COCKPIT
The Black Widow Glass Cockpit provides significant advantages upgrades in the cockpit and increases safety. The Black Widow STC replaces a lot of the legacy instrumentation and provides a fully-integrated cockpit.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Compared to the standard Bell UH-1, the Black Widow decreases your direct maintenance costs in excess of 29% while increasing your operational readiness rates. The utilization of Bell 212 components enhances parts availability through Bell Helicopter’s Global Support Network.
Compared to the Bell Huey, service life improvement for most components (main rotor mast, hub assembly, engine transmission, gearboxes, rotor blades, etc.) is improved by more than 250%.
Why The Huey Talon in the Black Widow?
The Black Widow modification modernizes the drivetrain and increases the capability of the UH-1H.
The TALON PT6 conversion upgrades the core of the aircraft and completes the modernization of the Black Widow Upgrade. The TALON is a stand-alone modification or can be accomplished in conjunction with a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).
The Digital PT6C-67D-1 engine in the TALON upgrade allows for a natural integration with a Digital Cockpit installation. There are many benefits in retaining and modernizing the existing Huey fleet.
The Black Widow is a cost-effective solution and fills an essential operational niche. With the addition of the PT6C-67D-1 TALON upgrade, the Black Widow sees an increased performance with a reduced maintenance and operational cost compared to the standard Huey.
The Black Widow is a focused maintenance and modernization program to upgrade existing Huey’s to like-new equivalent at a fraction of the cost and will be a valuable asset for many years to come.
Performance Benefits
The following are quotes from Pratt & Whitney in 2018.
“The PT6C-67D engine offers a step change in performance that includes a 20 per cent increase in take-off power, a 25 per cent increase in maximum continuous power, a 25 per cent increase in payload range and a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.”
“The advanced factory-new engine is equipped with an Electronic Engine Control (EEC) for precise and fast rotor governing with a hydro-mechanical back-up feature that provides for safe engine control and ease of helicopter operation. It also records and downloads engine performance, life usage and exceedances metrics from the engine’s Data Control Unit.”
“Another major advantage of the PT6C-67D engine is that it offers an approximate 35 per cent reduction in direct maintenance costs due to its reliability and readily available commercial support.”
Less Scheduled Maintenance
| Maintenance | T53-L-13B | T53-L-703 | PT6C-67D |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEC | No | No | Yes |
| Oil Change (hours) | 900 hours | 900 hours | N/A |
| Oil Analysis (hours) | 25 hours** | 25 hours** | N/A |
| Vibration Test (at installation) | Yes | Yes | No |
| TBO | 2,400 hours | 3,000 hours*** | 4,000 hours |
| Scheduled Hot End Inspection | 1,200 hours | 1,200 hours | 2,000 hours |
| Line Maintenance Interval | 150 hours | 150 hours | 600 hours/ 1 Year |
| Lowest Limited Life Components | 4,600 Cycles | 6,000 Cycles | 10,000 Cycles |
| Life Limited Parts | 15 | 17 | 9 |
| Engine Warranty | No Warranty | No Warranty | 4 Years / 1,500 |
| EEC T53-L-13B: No T53-L-703: No PT6C-67D: Yes |
| Oil Change (hours) T53-L-13B: 900 hours T53-L-703: 900 hours PT6C-67D: N/A |
| Oil Analysis (hours) T53-L-13B: 25 hours** T53-L-703: 25 hours** PT6C-67D: N/A |
| Vibration Test (at installation) T53-L-13B: Yes T53-L-703: Yes PT6C-67D: No |
| TBO T53-L-13B: 2,400 hours T53-L-703: 3,000 hours*** PT6C-67D: 4,000 hours |
| Scheduled Hot End Inspection T53-L-13B: 1,200 hours T53-L-703: 1,200 hours PT6C-67D: 2,000 hours |
| Line Maintenance Interval T53-L-13B: 150 hours T53-L-703: 150 hours PT6C-67D: 600 hours / 1 Year |
| Lowest Limited Life Components T53-L-13B: 4,600 Cycles T53-L-703: 6,000 Cycles PT6C-67D: 10,000 Cycles |
| Life Limited Parts T53-L-13B: 15 T53-L-703: 17 PT6C-67D: 9 |
| Engine Warranty T53-L-13B: No Warranty T53-L-703: No Warranty PT6C-67D: 4 Years / 1,500 |
Inspection Requirements
| Inspection Requirement | T53 Inspection Int. | PT6C-67D Inspection Int. |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Air-bleed strainer service | 150 hours | 600 hours |
| Starter Generator | 150 hours | On Condition |
| Fuel Control Inlet Strainer | 150 hours | 600 hours |
| Fuel Control Servo Strainer and replace filter | 150 hours | N/A |
| Quick Disconnect Fuel Lines | 150 hours | N/A |
| Quick Disconnect Oil Lines | 150 hours | N/A |
| Engine Oil Filter | 150 hours | 600 hours / 1 year |
| Engine mnt Rod Ends for axial and radial play | 300 hours | 600 hours |
| Engine Pillow Block Mounts | 300 hours | N/A |
| Breakaway Valves at ODDS lubrication filter | 300 hours | N/A |
| Power Turbine gov cont tube, levers, lube and attachment for wear, security and corrosion | 150 hours | N/A |
| Droop Compensator for attachement, wear and corrosion | 150 hours | N/A |
| Linear Actuator for security, connections, wea r and operation | 150 hours | N/A |
| Hot End Inspection | 1200 hours | 2000 hrs |
| Oil Change, Cooler flush (without ODDS) | 900 hours | N/A |
| Fire Detection System | 12 months | 12 months |
| Engine Air-bleed strainer service T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: 600 hours |
| Starter Generator T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: On Condition |
| Fuel Control Inlet Strainer T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: 600 hours |
| Fuel Control Servo Strainer and replace filter T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Quick Disconnect Fuel Lines T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Quick Disconnect Oil Lines T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Engine Oil Filter T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: 600 hours / 1 year |
| Engine mnt Rod Ends for axial and radial play T53 Inspection Int.: 300 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: 600 hours |
| Engine Pillow Block Mounts T53 Inspection Int.: 300 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Breakaway Valves at ODDS lubrication filter T53 Inspection Int.: 300 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Power Turbine gov cont tube, levers, lube and attachment for wear, security and corrosion T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Droop Compensator for attachement, wear and corrosion T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Linear Actuator for security, connections, wea r and operation T53 Inspection Int.: 150 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Hot End Inspection T53 Inspection Int.: 1200 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: 2000 hrs |
| Oil Change, Cooler flush (without ODDS) T53 Inspection Int.: 900 hours PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: N/A |
| Fire Detection System T53 Inspection Int.: 12 months PT6C-67D Inspection Int.: 12 months |
Fuel Cost Comparison
| Fuel Consumption | T53-13B | T53-703 | PT6C-67D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Consumption Rate / Hour | 88 Gal* | 90 Gal* | 60 Gal** |
| Consumption Cost/ Hour. Gal = $4.00 | $352.00 | $360.00 | $240.00 |
| Fuel PT6 Fuel Cost Savings per Hour | $112.00 | $120.00 | Base |
| Annual Fuel Cost @ 600 hr | $211,200.00 | $216,600.00 | $144,000.00 |
| Annual Fuel Cost Savings @ 600 hr | $67,200.00 | $72,600.00 | Base |
| Fuel Consumption Rate / Hour T53-13B: 88 Gal* T53-703: 90 Gal* PT6C-67D: 60 Gal** |
| Consumption Cost/ Hour. Gal = $4.00 T53-13B: $352.00 T53-703: $360.00 PT6C-67D: $240.00 |
| Fuel PT6 Fuel Cost Savings per Hour T53-13B: $112.00 T53-703: $120.00 PT6C-67D: Base |
| Annual Fuel Cost @ 600 hr T53-13B: $211,200.00 T53-703: $216,600.00 PT6C-67D: $144,000.00 |
| Annual Fuel Cost Savings @ 600 hr T53-13B: $67,200.00 T53-703: $72,600.00 PT6C-67D: Base |
Based on US Forestry Chart*
Based on Current Flight Test Data**
Maintenance Cost Comparisons
| Maintenance Costs | T53-13B | T53-703 | PT6C-67D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Maintenance Cost per Hour | $271.00 | $286.67* | $202.50* |
| PT6 Cost Savings per Hour | $68.50 | $00,84. | Base |
| Annual Maintenance Cost** | $96,258 | $72,858 | $52,278 |
| PT6 Annual Cost Savings** | $43,980 | $20,580 | Base |
| Direct Maintenance Cost per Hour T53-13B: $271.00 T53-703: $286.67* PT6C-67D: $202.50* |
| PT6 Cost Savings per Hour T53-13B: $68.50 T53-703: $00,84. PT6C-67D: Base |
| Annual Maintenance Cost** T53-13B: $96,258 T53-703: $72,858 PT6C-67D: $52,278 |
| PT6 Annual Cost Savings** T53-13B: $43,980 T53-703: $20,580 PT6C-67D: Base |
Conklin & de Decker 2019 Data*
Based on 600 hr Annual Flight Program**
Aux Fuel Tanks
212 Rotor System & Transmission
BLR Fastfin & Strakes
