UH-20Y Lionheart
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
| UH-20Y Lionheart | |
|---|---|
| |
| An REAF UH-20Y during a demonstration in Friedrich O'Connelly Air Base, Randgriz. | |
| Role | Utility Helicopter |
| National origin | Erebonian Empire |
| Manufacturer | Rainford Group |
| First flight | 27 March 2008 |
| Introduction | 19 May 2015 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force Royal Erebonian Air Force Royal Gallian Air Force Royal Rubrumian Air Force |
| Produced | 2015–present |
| Number built | 160 |
| Developed from | UH-10 Super Hugh |
The UH-20Y Lionheart is a twin-engine, medium-sized utility helicopter, built by Rainford Group as part of its agreement with Labelle Helicopters. As the newest member of the UH-10 Hugh, The UH-20Y was initially to be developed from the UH-10 Super Hugh, but in 2010, it was approved to be built from scratch. It entered service in 2015 as a replacement for the UH-70 Blackhawk, first introduced in 1975. In 2015, it entered full-rate production. The Lionheart served as the Special Air Service's primary utility helicopter, replacing the Augusta 75 Lynx. It also serves as Task Force 141's official utility helicopter.
Its designation as the Lionheart came from Erebonian Emperor Dreichels Reize Arnor, who was known as Dreichels the Lionheart for his success during the War of the Two Branches. The helicopter is named in honour of him.
Development
In 2006, the need for a new utility helicopter was raised by then-General Kiriya Kitagawa, one of the foremost special forces commanders on the ground. He believed that the Blackhawks would soon be rendered obsolete. In addition, the Blackhawks were heavier and were more expensive to maintain. Kitagawa approached the Rainford Group to develop a specialised utility helicopter that can also serve as a gunship for certain missions, as well as being able to be light enough to be stowed in a carrier.
CEO Irina Rainford approached the Labelle Company to obtain the rights to locally produce a new helicopter using the UH-10 Super Hugh frame. A contract was finalised in 2007 to make a completely new helicopter using the Super Hugh's frame. Work began immediately with the first prototype being tested at the Karl L.K. Arseid Proving Grounds just near Fort Daidoji Kitagawa in 2008. The events that took place during the Second Lucis Civil War prompted Kitagawa to revise the basic requirements for the new helicopter. This prompted the adoption of several technologies that took only by the end of the war to be fitted into the prototype.
The 2 helicopters were tested in throughout January and February 2015. The helicopters met the special forces standard and a go-ahead signal was given by Kitagawa in May 2015, with production finally beginning in June 2015. The first deliveries rolled out in December 2017.
Design
The UH-20Y, although using the Super Hugh's frame, was a largely different Hugh variant, being the most modernised. The UH-20Y upgrades pilot avionics to a glass cockpit, adds further safety modifications that ensures safety of the crew in the event of crashing, and a modern forward-looking infrared system. Engine power was significantly increased, being able to reach a maximum speed of 180 kns (vs the Blackhawk's 159kn). It has a four-blade, all composite rotor system designed to withstand up to 30mm rounds.
A 21-inch (530 mm) fuselage extention just forward of the main door was added for more capacity. The UH-20Y features upgraded transmissions and a digital cockpit with flat-panel multifunctional displays. The 20Y also has an increased payload, a maximum operational range of at least 3000 yards, a reduction in vibration, and higher cruising speed.
The UH-20Y is also fitted with the INVICTA cloaking system perfected by the Rainford Group. This prevents the Lionheart from being spotted while being in the air by radar. In addition, LAe Systems agreed to fit the 20Y with its newly-developed ADAPTI land cloaking system that when engaged, allows the 20Y to blend with its surroundings whether if it was static or in the air, effectively becoming invisible to hostile thermal imaging and targeting systems. The success of the two systems made the 20Y as the first and only recognised helicopter ever fitted with such.
The UH-20Y can be installed with the Rainford Group's 2 90mm 8x ARVO-23 precision-guided rockets or 2x 30mm Theimer Mk. 17 autocannons and 2 pintle mounts for the RT GPSMG Mk. III, M1921 Theimer Machine gun, or the GAU-17 gattling gun, making it an effective gunship as well.
