Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has been awarded an estimated $300 million contract by the U.S. Department of the Navy to deliver Structural and Power Improvements for NextGen Effects (SPINE) upgrades for up to 49 U.S. Marine Corps H-1 aircraft.
The contract, structured as a base plus three option years, covers upgrades for 21 UH-1Y Venom and 28 AH-1Z Viper helicopters. Work will be carried out at the Bell Amarillo Assembly Center beginning in mid-2027, with first deliveries of upgraded aircraft scheduled for 2028.
“Beginning SPINE Phase 3.0 emphasizes the importance of this essential modernization effort and enables the USMC H-1 fleet to remain competitive with current and future capabilities,” said Danielle Markham, program manager, Bell. “SPINE will enable H-1 operators and maintainers to implement the equipment and technology needed to keep the aircraft as a fully interoperable member of the modern joint force throughout the lifetime of the H-1 fleet.”
The SPINE programme, previously known as SIEPU, is designed to increase electrical power capacity and support the integration of next-generation systems to enhance survivability and combat effectiveness. The upgrades will enable advanced and scalable architecture, improved safety features, and enhanced mission capabilities, including personnel recovery operations in austere environments.
The upgraded H-1 aircraft will also feature improved defensive systems, digital interoperability, increased electrical power, advanced data bus capabilities, Link 16 integration, and compatibility with long-range net-enabled weapons. These enhancements are expected to enable operations in complex environments while maintaining low detectability and improved coordination with joint force assets.
“H-1s are essential to maintaining attack, strike, and utility capabilities within the Marine Corps and they do this while providing a large volume of fires. We are very pleased to see this modernization effort take another leap forward,” stated Col. Jason Duke, Program Manager, PMA-276. “The SPINE program will provide a significant increase to overall H-1 electrical capability to optimize advanced battlefield technology and ensure the H-1 fleet will continue to be relevant into the 2040s.”
Bell completed initial SPINE upgrades on one UH-1Y and one AH-1Z aircraft in fall 2025, which were subsequently sent to Naval Air Station Patuxent River for flight testing. The Phase 3.0 contract marks the transition to full fleet modification, building on years of collaboration between the U.S. Government, Bell, and industry partners.
