The AH-1Z Viper
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a modern version of the first ever attack helicopter, the AH-1 Cobra. It 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-1 helicopter upgrade program for the US Marine Corps. It was launched by the US Government in 1996 and has been won the Bell helicopter company. It is worth noting that the Viper was developed alongside the UH-1Y Venom under the same program.
The AH-1Z Viper is a direct derivative of the AH-1W Super Cobra. It is one of the most powerful, capable and advanced helicopter, flying today. The AH-1Z made its first flight back in 2000. It was introduced to the US Marine Corps in 2010. Full scale production commenced in 2012. Marines plan to receive a total of 189 Vipers until 2019. These include 131 AH-1W upgraded into AH-1Z and 58 newly built AH-1Z helicopters.
Upgrades 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 turbo shaft engines and has uprated transmission. One of the main external difference from the AH-1W is a composite 4-bladed main rotor, instead of the previous 2-bladed rotor. It is worth noting that a 2-bladed rotor was distinctive feature of all Bell helicopter models. Due to these changes flying characteristics improved a lot.
Despite all improvements and upgrades appearance of the AH-1Z remains the same. Pilot is seated at the rear and co-pilot/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 twinned 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 AH-1Z carries about 2 t of various weapons on stub-wings. Typically it carries AGM-114A/B/C Hellfire anti-tank missiles (up to 16) and pods with 70-mm unguided rockets. The Viper can be also fitted with AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles, free-fall bombs, including the Mk.77 incendiary bombs. It can also carry two fire-and-forget AIM-9 Sidewinder supersonic air-to-air missiles with infrared target detection. These a mounted on wing tip stations. Also there is a 20-mm 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.
Fuselage of the helicopter and external components were coated to avoid corrosion during prolonged service at sea. These helicopters typically operate from amphibious assault ships
Capable. Flexible. Multi-mission. The ultimate in attack helicopters. The powerful AH-1Z delivers state of the art dynamics, weapons and avionics to incorporate the latest in survivability. With anti-armor capability, it engages and defeats the broadest array of threats at standoff ranges that defy imagination.Standard configuration utilizes the T700-GE-401 engine.
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
Speed: 411 km/h
Cruise speed: 296 km/h
Range: 685 km
Combat radius:144 mi, 231 km
Payload
Service ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,000+ m)
Rate of climb: 2,790 ft/min (14.2 m/s)
Weapons Capability
• AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
• AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
• 70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods – up to 76 total
• AIM-9 Sidewinder (A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
• LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
• Mk 77 fire bombs
• 77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
• 20 mm cannon (With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat)
• MK 76 practice bombs
• BDU-33D/B practice bombs
• MK 106 practice bombs
Survivability & Crash worthiness
Like no other attack helicopter in the world, the AH-1Z survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:
• AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
• APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
• ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser and
• AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:
• Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
• Energy-absorbing landing gear
• Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
• Fuel vapor inerting systems
• Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.
Modern Technology
The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft
survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.
Best Targeting System
Target identification is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The AH-1Z
Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the Top Owl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.
Maintenance
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the AH-1Z is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Maintenance features of the AH-1Z include:
• Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition”
Maintenance
• Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
• Better accessibility
• Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
• Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
• Less spares storage requirement
Modern Cockpit
Identical front and rear cockpits provide the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, so there's no need to have separate training programs for front or back seaters.
The
Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, allows pilot function without removing hands from the collective flight controls. Color displays are large, multifunctional and combined with the moving-map technology. Helmet mounted displays provide all the information required to engage the enemy more quickly and accurately.
H1 Program Commonality
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components.