The Air Force plans to introduce the newest variant of the Huey family of helicopters, the TH-1H, on Nov. 5 at the Randolph AFB, Tex., air show, which this year commemorates the base’s 75th anniversary. The TH-1H sports an advanced avionics “glass cockpit,” among other upgrades over previous models. USAF expects to have 24 TH-1Hs in its inventory by 2009. The first class to use the new trainer is slated for summer 2007.
The $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.


