UH-1M Huey Helicopter
| Type: | Rotary-wing transport aircraft, target drone |
The Bell Helicopter Company, from Fort Worth, Texas, built the first turbine-powered helicopter. Designed as troop transport and medical evacuation for service in Vietnam, its versatility and utility allowed WSMR personnel to modify the Huey for use in testing air defense systems against rotary-wing aircraft. The Huey was also used to test various helicopter-borne surveillance, ground attack, and anti-aircraft systems. To convert the Huey into an unmanned helicopter for destructive testing, engineers would install a “drone package” where the pilot would typically sit. The drone package would be radio-controlled from the ground and could be used to steer the helicopter in takeoff, flight, and landing.