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Feature story The U.S. Army takes a detailed look at the UH-145 Light Utility Helicopter

April 11, 2006

The UH-145 was a major attraction at this week's Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) annual convention, as Army aviators, program managers and others visited the aircraft for briefings during its public debut in the static display area at Nashville's Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

The UH-145 was in the static display area of the Army Aviation Association of America's annual meeting, which was held this year at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

In the photo at right, American Eurocopter's David Vogel demonstrates the UH-145 blade folding feature, which facilitates the helicopter's storage. This process takes only minutes to accomplish, and is performed by a single person. The UH-145's four-blade hingeless main rotor system uses a simple, rugged design, and has advanced composite blades.

At upper right, the UH-145's unmatched visibility is underscored in a photo of the forward fuselage, as American Eurocopter Chief Pilot Bruce Webb briefs an Army pilot at the front left side door.

Visitors to the UH-145 gave high marks to many of its features, including the large rear clamshell doors - which provide optimum access to the helicopter's spacious, unobstructed main cabin (photo at bottom right). Seating capacity in the UH-145 is for up to nine passengers, and the cabin can be easily reconfigured to accommodate two stretchers and two medical attendants for medevac missions. The high-set tail rotor allows the rapid and safe loading and unloading of passengers, cargo and patients, increasing efficiency and reducing hazards for ground personnel.

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