USAF Releases Draft RFP for Huey Replacement

Dec. 5, 2016

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

The Air Force on Friday released a draft proposal to replace its UH-1N fleet, looking to buy 84 new helicopters to patrol missile fields. The draft request for proposals calls for responses by Dec. 16. The Air Force has said it will have a “full and open” competition for the new helicopters. Air Force Materiel Command will hold its second “industry day” Dec. 12-14 to solicit input from contractors, according to the announcement. The service previously held an industry day in September, with representatives from Bell Helicopter, Airbus, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky, and GE Aviation, among others, attending. A contract is expected to be awarded in Fiscal 2018. The service wants off-the-shelf replacements that could be delivered quickly after the award is issued.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

T-38 Crash That Briefly Paused Flights Caused by ‘Under-Torqued’ Pin

Space Force Weighs Proliferated Cislunar Satellite Constellation

Flu Vaccine Now Required for Many Airmen, Guardians, and DAF Civilians

Two ‘Non-Hostile’ Deaths Raise Iran War Toll to 23

Related

First HH-60W Arrives at Andrews for Contingency Response, VIP Transport

Nov. 3, 2026
Like a new car from the dealership, an HH-60W helicopter touched down at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Nov. 2 with paperwork, a set of keys, and that fresh-from-the-factory smell. The newly activated 5th Helicopter Squadron accepted its first “Whiskey” in a brief but pomp-filled ceremony attended by the Air…

T-38 Crash That Briefly Paused Flights Caused by ‘Under-Torqued’ Pin

Nov. 2, 2026
The crash of a T-38 trainer jet this May—which caused a weekslong pause in flights across the fleet—was caused by an improperly installed pin for one of the jet’s horizontal stabilizers, according to a new accident report released Oct. 30. When the pin disengaged midflight, it created the slightest amount…

Key Midterm Election Races to Watch for the Air Force and Space Force

Nov. 2, 2026
Dozens of former Airmen are running for Congress in the 2026 midterms, with Election Day fast approaching on Nov. 3. But the potential impact of the election for the Air Force and Space Force goes beyond just the number of former service members on Capitol Hill—the results will also decide…

Flu Vaccine Now Required for Many Airmen, Guardians, and DAF Civilians

Oct. 31, 2026
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.

Promotions for Space Force’s Second-Highest Enlisted Rank Explode

Oct. 30, 2026
Promotions to the Space Force’s second highest enlisted grade, senior master sergeant, have surged to the highest level in the young service’s history, bolstering the senior NCO corps as officials plan to aggressively expand the force and especially the enlisted corps.