Here in this post we will see the Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter.
Product Type:
Attack Helicopter
Using Service (US):
Marine Corps (USMC)
Program Status:
In Full Rate Production (FRP)
Prime Contractor:
Bell Helicopter (Textron)
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a two seat, twin engine, single rotor attack helicopter. It is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines with 1,800 shp each. The AH-1Z is based on the AH-1W Super Cobra and features a new four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.
Remarkable hardware on the AH-1Z are the Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-30 TSS Hawkeye EO/IR fire control framework, the Thales TopOwl Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System, the AN/ARC-210 Digital Communication System, and the Raytheon AN/APX-100 Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) transponder.
The essential route framework is the CN-1689(V)2/ASN Embedded GPS/INS upheld by the AN/ARN-153(V) TACAN System and DF-301E VHF/UHF Direction Finder.
Airplane countermeasures incorporate the AN/APR-39A Radar Warning Receiver, AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, AN/AVR-2A Laser Warning System, and the BAE Systems AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System.
DoD Upgrade Program:
The H–1 Helicopter Upgrade program changes over AH–1W Super Cobra and UH–1N Huey helicopters to the AH–1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom, separately. The overhauled helicopters will have expanded mobility, speed, and payload ability. The upgrades include a new four-bladed rotor system, new transmissions, a new four-bladed tail rotor and drive system + upgraded landing gear. Also, this program provides for UH-1Y and AH-1Z new build rotorcraft.
The Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W Super Cobra with the AH-1Z Viper, which features a new four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit. The 84% parts commonality between the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y is expected to significantly reduce life-cycle costs and the logistical footprint of the aircraft, while increasing the maintainability and deployability.
The AH-1Z overhaul program was initially organized as a recapitalization exertion to change over 127 AH-1W helicopters into AH-1Zs and construct 62 new AH-1Zs. However, the increasing costs of AH-1W Super Cobra remanufacturing due to heavy wartime use and the latest cost estimates for AH-1Z new-build cabins indicate that purchasing all AH-1Zs as new-build aircraft will cost less. Also, by eliminating the AH-1W remanufacture process, the Marine Corps is able to recover more quickly from its current critical attack helicopter shortfall. The procurement strategy has been revised to exclusively purchase AH-1Z new-build aircraft beginning in FY 2013. With these changes, the modified AH-1Z acquirement system is to change over 37 AH-1W helicopters into AH-1Zs and manufacture 152 new AH-1Zs.
Armament/Weapons:
The AH-1Z Viper is outfitted with a General Dynamics M197 20mm three-hurtle gatling weapon equipped for starting up to 1,500 shots for each moment. The Viper carries a combination of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles (AIM-9X projected), and 2.75" (70mm) Hydra-70 rockets. In the future, the AH-1Z will carry the Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), which is currently being developed by the Army and Navy in cooperation with Lockheed Martin. JAGM will replace the AGM-114 Hellfire Missile.
AH-1Z Production Forecast: A 15-year AH-1Z production forecast is available through Forecast International's Platinum Forecast System, which includes a breakout of total market unit and value statistics by manufacturer and end-user. This continuous help likewise remembers data for all prime and subcontractors, contract grants, overall inventories, a total program history, and a method of reasoning specifying the viewpoint of the program. A 10-year AH-1Z production forecast is also available in report format through Forecast International's Rotorcraft Forecast service.
Mission/Role:
The AH-1Z attack helicopter provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities for the U.S. Marine Corps under day/night and adverse weather conditions.
FY 2020 & FY 2021 - AH-1Z DoD Program: This data is available in Forecast International's U.S. Protection Budget Forecast, a thorough expository information base containing authentic and gauge spending figures, year-to-year subsidizing examinations, legislative spending markups, program legitimization archives, and substantially more.
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