the bell ah 1z viper is a modern version of the ah-1 cobra the first ever attack helicopter the
modern version is also called zulu cobra in reference to its variant letter since its
introduction in the mid 1960s the original cobra has been constantly improved and upgraded the
latest ah-1z viper is a result of h one helicopter upgrade program for the u.s marine corps that was
launched by the us government in 1996. the bell helicopter the ah-1z viper is a direct derivative
of the ah one w super cobra it is one of the most powerful capable and advanced helicopters flying
today the ah-1z made its first flight back in 2000 it was introduced to the u.s marine corps in 2010
full-scale production commenced in 2012 marines planned to receive a total of 189 vipers
until 2019 these include 131 ah one w upgraded into ah 1z and 58 newly built ah
1z helicopters in 2015 it was announced that 12 of these gunships will be delivered to pakistan
upgrades of the ah onesie included implementation of state-of-the-art weapons and digital technology
to respond to modern demands for contemporary warfare the viper features outstanding flying
and combat capabilities the ah-1z has essential changes in propulsion
it is powered by two general electric t700 ge 401c turboshaft engines and has upgraded transmission
one of the main external difference from the ah one w is a composite four-bladed main rotor
instead of the previous two-bladed rotor it reduced vibrations by up to seventy percent
it is worth noting that a two-plated rotor was a distinctive feature of all previous
bell helicopter models however due to these changes flying characteristics improve a lot
despite all improvements and upgrades appearance of the ah
one z remains the same pilot is seated at the rear and co-pilot slash gunner at the front
layout of two integrated digital cockpits is identical and all systems are duplicated this
helicopter uses off-the-shelf electronic systems it can operate in day night or adverse weather
conditions it has night vision twin with infrared and new target search and acquisition software
it permits viper to find and engage targets at long range it can be fitted with longbow
fire control radar mounted on wingtip station also there is automatic flight control station
armament of the viper is very flexible it is enhanced by helmet mounted sight and display
system the aah-1z carries about 2t of various weapons on stub wings typically it carries agm
114 a slash b c hellfire anti-tank missiles up to 16 and pods with 70 mm unguided rockets
the viper can be also fitted with agm 114 f hellfire anti-ship missiles free fall bombs
including the mk.77 incendiary bones it can also carry two fire and forget it i am
nine sidewinders short range air-to-air missiles these are mounted on wingtip
stations also there is a 20mm three-barrel cannon a number of improvements were made
to survivability and crash-worthiness of the helicopter it is fitted with infrared
suppression system which covers engine exhausts laser and radar warning systems and radar jammer
it also has smart countermeasures dispenser with missile warning device
latest airframe technologies were implemented such as crash-worthy seats energy-absorbing
landing gear self-sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems and fuel vapor inerting systems