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Bell AH-1Z Viper



Overview


AH-1Z Viper

An AH-1Z Super Cobra lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in 2013.
Source: US Navy - © Public domain

Origin
United States
Type
Attack helicopter
Entered service
2010
Status
In service
Development
1996 - 2010
Developer
United States
Production
2010 (low rate production)
2012 - present
Producer
United States - Bell
Number produced
Over 200 ordered
Designations
AH-1 Zulu
Notable users
United States - US Marine Corps
Bahrain

Description


Introduction

The AH-1Z Viper is a modern attack helicopter of US origin. It is the latest iteration in the AH-1 family of combat helicopters dating back to the late 1960’s. The AH-1Z is produced both as an upgrade of earlier AH-1W airframes as well as newly built airframes.

Design

The AH-1Z is an improvement over the AH-1W in many areas. Most visible is the use of a new four blade main rotor. Internal upgrades include avionics, electro-optical sensors, self-defense systems and weapon options. The crew consists of a pilot and a gunner.

Firepower

The chin turret houses the 20mm M197 tripple barrel autocannon for which 750 rounds are carried in a linkless feed system. The stub wings feature four hardpoints and two wingtip pylons. Each hardpoint can be fitted with four AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles or a 7 or 19 tube rocket pod for the Hydra 70 series of aerial rockets. Each wingtip can be fitted with an infrared guided AIM-9 Sidewinder air to air missile.

Mobility

The rotor is powered by two 1.800 shp turboshafts. These provide a maximum speed of over 400 km/h in a dive and a cruise speed of about 300 km/h. The combat radius is about 230 km.

Users

The primary user of the AH-1Z is the US Marine Corps, taking delivery of the first operational aircraft in 2010. 189 AH-1Z are planned, including conversion of 131 existing AH-1W. Recently Bahrain has ordered the AH-1Z.

Media


Details


Facts AH-1Z Viper
General
Origin
United States
Type
Attack helicopter
Crew
2 (pilot, gunner)
Dimensions
Length
17.8 m
Height
4.37 m
Empty weight
5.580 kg
Max takeoff weight
8.390 kg
Propulsion
Powerplant
2x GE T700-GE-401C turboshaft
Power output
1.800 shp each
Rotor setup
4 blade main rotor
4 blade tail rotor
Diameter
14.6 m
Disc area
168 m²
Performance
Max speed
337 km/h level flight
411 km/h never exceed dive speed
Cruise speed
296 km/h
Operational range
231 km combat radius with 1.1 t payload
Ferry range
685 km
Ceiling
Over 6 km
Climb rate
14.2 m/s
Armament
Hardpoints
4 hardpoints
2 wingtips
Useful load
2.6 t
Fixed gun
1x 20mm M197 gatling gun in A/A49E-7 turret
750 rounds ready to fire
Avionics
Optronics
Target Sight System FLIR/TV system
Top Owl helmet mounted sight
Self-defense
HIRSS exhaust covers
Radar warning receiver
Laser warning sensor
Countermeasure dispensers