The UH-1N was developed from a project of the US based Bell Helicopter company at the end of the 60s. In Italy, a similar version is produced on license by Agusta Westland under the designation AB-212. The AB-212 is a medium, two-blade rotor powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6T turbo shaft power turbines providing 1.342 Kw. It is a development of model 205, the main difference being an elongated fuselage. In the first half of the 2000s, the AB 212 was massively updated to enhance its operational capacity. It has been fitted with two 7,62mm swivelling machine guns on the tailgates, and the defensive equipment has been upgraded with antimissile flare launchers and additional ceramic and kevlar armour to protect the crew. Italian AB 212s with this upgraded configuration are employed since 2006 in Afghanistan, in the International Security Assistance Force mission.
