SAN DIEGO, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy is using a San Diego-based aircraft carrier to test new and improved helicopter designs while deployed in the Pacific.
The Navy Newsstand reported this week that during recent operations in the Pacific, the USS Bonhomme Richard was used to test the improved UH-1Y "Super Huey" and AH-1Z "Super Cobra" helicopters' operational capabilities for maritime deployment.
The two experimental helicopters incorporated design improvements allowing for increased maneuverability and lift.
The exercises were designed to evaluate the new helicopters' potential for maritime operations. As the Marines are responsible for amphibious operations Martine officers were also involved in the evaluation.
The Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, also known as "Vampires," and based in China Lake, Calif., conducted the tests.
Marine Lt. Col. William Bufkin said: "The purpose of this operational test is to bring the aircraft aboard the ship. We then put them in an operational environment doing what we normally do aboard ship -- handling the aircraft, putting it in the hangar bay using the elevator, as well as conducting normal flight operations."
