Bell AH-1Z Viper
Bell Helicopter · United States · first flew 2000 · helicopter
The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, built for the US Marine Corps.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.75 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-blade bearingless composite main rotor
- Longer stub wings with a wingtip missile station on each side
- Two-man crew of pilot and co-pilot/gunner using a new target sighting system
It is distinguished from the AH-1W by the four-blade rotor, longer wing stubs with extra wingtip stations and the new sighting system.
Specifications
- The Bell AH-1Z Viper has a length of 17.75 m (58 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 411 km/h (255 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the 1990s and 2000s as part of the H-1 upgrade programme, it first flew on 8 December 2000. It was originally to be a rebuild of AH-1Ws, but new-build orders followed. The USMC declared combat readiness in September 2010.
Variants
It shares its tailboom, engines, rotor system and avionics architecture, over 84 per cent of components, with the UH-1Y Venom. Length is overall with rotors turning, and the speed given is the never-exceed speed.
Where you'll see it
It fully replaced the AH-1W with the Marine Corps in October 2020. Bahrain and the Czech Republic also operate it.
Related aircraft
- Bell 427
- Bell 430
- Bell ARH-70 Arapaho
- Bell 230
- AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant
- Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal
- AW101 Merlin HC.3
- Eurocopter EC225 / EC725
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