Medal of Honor Major General Patrick Henry Brady explains the Bell UH1 Iroquois.
The Bell UH1 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 turbinepowered helicopter in service with the United States military.

Development of the Iroquois started in the early 1950s, a major impetus being a requirement issued by the United States Army for a new medical evacuation and utility helicopter. The Bell 204, first flown on 20 October 1956, was warmly received, particularly for the performance of its single turboshaft engine over piston enginepowered counterparts. An initial production contract for 100 HU1As was issued in March 1960. In response to criticisms over the rotorcraft's power, Bell quickly developed multiple models furnished with more powerful engines; in comparison to the prototype's Lycoming YT53L1 (LTC1B1) engine, producing 700 shp (520 kW), by 1966, the Lycoming T53L13, capable of 1,400 shp (1,000 kW), was being installed on some models. A stretched version of the Iroquois, first flown during August 1961, was also produced in response to Army demands for a version than could accommodate more troops. Further modifications would include the use of allaluminium construction, the adoption of a rotor brake, and alternative powerplants.

The Iroquois was first used in combat operations during the Vietnam War, the first examples being deployed in March 1962. It was used for various purposes, conducting general support, air assault, cargo transport, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, electronic warfare, and ground attack missions. Armed Iroquois gunships carried a variety of weapons, including rockets, grenade launchers, and machine guns, and were often modified in the field to suit specific operations. The United States Air Force also deployed its Iroquois to Vietnam, using them to conduct reconnaissance operations, psychological warfare, and other support roles. Other nations' armed air services, such as the Royal Australian Air Force, also dispatched their own Iroquois to Vietnam. In total, around 7,000 Iroquois were deployed in the Vietnam theatre, over 3,300 of which were believed to be destroyed. Various other conflicts have seen combat deployments of the Iroquois, such as the Rhodesian Bush War, Falklands War, War in Afghanistan, and the 2007 Lebanon conflict.

Patrick Henry Brady (born October 1, 1936), is a retired United States Army major general. While serving as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, he received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor.

General characteristics

Crew: 1–4
Capacity: 3,880 lb (1,760 kg) including 1114 troops, 6 stretchers and attendant, or equivalent cargo
Length: 57 ft 9+5⁄8 in (17.618 m) with rotors
Width: 9 ft 6+1⁄2 in (2.908 m) (over skids)
Height: 14 ft 5+1⁄2 in (4.407 m) (tail rotor turning)
Empty weight: 5,210 lb (2,363 kg)
Gross weight: 9,039 lb (4,100 kg) (mission weight)
Max takeoff weight: 9,500 lb (4,309 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming T53L13 turboshaft, 1,400 shp (1,000 kW) (limited to 1,100 shp (820 kW) by transmission)
Main rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
Main rotor area: 1,809.56 sq ft (168.114 m2)
Performance

Maximum speed: 127 mph (204 km/h, 110 kn) (at maximum takeoff weight; also Vne at this weight)
Cruise speed: 127 mph (204 km/h, 110 kn) (at 5,700 ft (1,700 m) at maximum takeoff weight)
Range: 318 mi (511 km, 276 nmi) (with maximum fuel, no reserves, at sea level)
Service ceiling: 12,600 ft (3,800 m) (at maximum takeoff weight)
Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s) at sea level (at maximum takeoff weight)
Disk loading: 5.25 lb/sq ft (25.6 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.1159 hp/lb (0.1905 kW/kg)
Armament
various including:

7.62 mm machine guns
2.75 in (70 mm) rocket pods
See also: U.S. helicopter armament subsystems

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