H-1 Series

The H-1 Series line item in the Department of the Navy's FY 2026 Aircraft Procurement budget funds a comprehensive set of modifications for the UH-1Y Venom utility and AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters. These modifications are aligned with the Marine Corps' top three H-1 upgrade priorities: Digital Interoperability (DI), improved survivability, and increased lethality. The objectives are to address obsolescence, enhance reliability, improve readiness, and reduce operating costs for the H-1 fleet. This fleet is critical for supporting combat assault, offensive air support, command and control, and special operations missions.

H-1 Avionics Improvements focus on upgrading the digital and communications architecture of both UH-1Y and AH-1Z aircraft. The primary goal is to achieve Digital Interoperability through the integration of Link-16 and associated systems such as the Advanced Data Transfer System, WiFi filters, and Terrain Awareness Warning System II. FY 2026 funds will procure Link-16 kits, training and support equipment, and initiate updates for TAWS II, which enhances safety by providing predictive terrain alerts. These upgrades are intended to facilitate multi-domain awareness, improve command and control, and enable rapid information sharing in contested environments. This is expected to shorten the kill chain and increase operational effectiveness.

H-1 Sensors and Weapons Improvements are aimed at enhancing the survivability and lethality of H-1 aircraft. The FY 2026 request continues the procurement and installation of the APR-39D(V)2 radar warning receiver system, replacing the obsolete APR-39B(V)2. This system provides interactive management of onboard sensors and countermeasures, increasing aircrew situational awareness and survivability against emerging threats. Additional modifications include support equipment for new squadron activations and improvements to weapons integration. These efforts are designed to ensure the H-1 fleet can detect, identify, and engage targets more effectively while maintaining high readiness rates.

H-1 Air Vehicle Improvements address safety, reliability, and readiness issues within the airframe and mechanical systems. FY 2026 efforts include procurement of swashplate improvement kits, upgrades to the Environmental Control System for better thermal management, and force trim system modifications to resolve safety risks related to flight control inputs. These improvements are expected to reduce maintenance hours, extend component life limits, and decrease total ownership costs. This directly supports higher Mission Capable Aircraft Requirement and Full Mission Capable Aircraft Requirement rates.

H-1 Structural Improvements and Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU) is a newly established program in FY 2026, consolidating previous efforts to address structural and electrical power limitations. SIEPU modifications include new AC generators, wiring, and harnesses for both aircraft types, as well as UH-1Y-specific structural enhancements such as improved ammunition can design, fast rope hoist systems, and upgraded crew restraints. These changes are essential for enabling future digital architecture improvements, increasing electrical capacity, and addressing validated safety concerns identified by operational commanders.

The Inactive OSIPs line reflects prior year totals for modifications that are no longer active or have been superseded by newer initiatives. No new funding is requested for these efforts in FY 2026, but the historical investment underscores the ongoing commitment to maintaining and modernizing the H-1 fleet.