Bell AH-1Z Viper

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system. The AH-1Z is part of the H-1 upgrade program. It is also called "Zulu Cobra" in reference to its variant letter.

Role Attack helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight 8 December 2000
Introduction September 2010
Status In service, in production
Primary user United States Marine Corps
Number built 28
Unit cost US$27 million
US$31 million (new built)
Developed from Bell AH-1 SuperCobra

Design

An AH-1Z at an air show displaying four-blade rotors and longer stub wings.

The AH-1Z incorporates new rotor technology with upgraded military avionics, weapons systems, and electro-optical sensors in an integrated weapons platform. It has improved survivability and can find targets at longer ranges and attack them with precision weapons.

The AH-1Z's new bearingless, hingeless rotor system has 75% fewer parts than that of four-bladed articulated systems. The blades are made of composites, which have an increased ballistic survivability, and there is a semiautomatic folding system for storage aboard amphibious assault ships. Its two redesigned wing stubs are longer, with each adding a wing-tip station for a missile such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Each wing has two other stations for 2.75-inch (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket pods, or AGM-114 Hellfire quad missile launchers. The Longbow radar can also be mounted on a wing tip station.

AH-1Z pilots wear helmet mounted displays.

The Z-model's integrated avionics system (IAS) has been developed by Northrop Grumman. The system includes two mission computers and an automatic flight control system. Each crew station has two 8x6-inch multifunction liquid crystal displays (LCD) and one 4.2x4.2-inch dual function LCD display. The communications suite combines a US Navy RT-1824 integrated radio, UHF/VHF, COMSEC and modem in a single unit. The navigation suite includes an embedded GPS inertial navigation system (EGI), a digital map system and Meggitt's low-airspeed air data subsystem, which allows weapons delivery when hovering.

The crew are equipped with the Thales "Top Owl" helmet-mounted sight and display system. The Top Owl has a 24-hour day/night capability and a binocular display with a 40° field of view. Its visor projection provides forward looking infrared (FLIR) or video imagery. The AH-1Z has survivability equipment including the Hover Infrared Suppression System (HIRSS) to cover engine exhausts, countermeasure dispensers, radar warning, incoming/on-way missile warning and on-fuselage laser spot warning systems.

The Lockheed Martin target sight system (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR sensor. The TSS provides target sighting in day, night or adverse weather conditions. The system has various view modes and can track with FLIR or by TV. The same system is also used on the UH-1Y Venom and the KC-130J Harvest HAWK.

Specifications (AH-1Z)

AH-1Z Line Drawing.svg
Front view of AH-1Z at the MCAS Miramar Air Show

Data from Bell Specifications, The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002–2003, Modern Battlefield Warplanes

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2: pilot, co-pilot/gunner (CPG)
  • Capacity: 6,661 lb (3,021 kg)
  • Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 48 ft (14.6 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
  • Disc area: 1,808 ft² (168.0 m²)
  • Empty weight: 12,300 lb (5,580 kg)
  • Useful load: 5,764 lb (2,620 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 18,500 lb (8,390 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,800 shp (1,340 kW) each
  • Rotor systems: 4 blades on main rotor, 4 blades on tail rotor

Performance

  • Never exceed speed: 222 knots (255 mph, 411 km/h) in a dive
  • Cruise speed: 160 kn (184 mph, 296 km/h)
  • Range: 370 nmi (426 mi, 685 km)
  • Combat radius: 125 nmi (144 mi, 231 km)with 2,500 lb (1,130 kg) payload
  • Service ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,100+ m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,790 ft/min (14.2 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: 1 x 20 mm (0.787 in) M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 round ammo capacity)
  • Hardpoints: Up to 6 pylon stations on stub wing
  • Rockets: 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 or APKWS II rockets – Mounted in LAU-68C/A (7 shot) or LAU-61D/A (19 shot) launchers
  • Missiles:
    • AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles – 1 mounted on each wing tip station (total of 2)
    • AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles – Up to 16 missiles mounted in four 4-round M272 missile launchers, two on each wing

Avionics

  • Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar

Source

The information contained on this page is unclassified, approved for public dissemination and is released under CC-BY-SA Licensing Agreement.