AH-1Z Viper
- For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey
| AH-1Z Viper | |
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| An USMC AH-1Z "Viper" undergoing testing at NAS Patuxent River | |
| Role | Attack helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| First flight | 8 December 2000 |
| Introduction | 2009 |
| Status | In development |
| Primary user | United States Marine Corps |
| Developed from | AH-1 SuperCobra |
The Bell AH-1Z Viper (also called "SuperCobra") 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.[1] The AH-1Z is part of the H-1 upgrade program.
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Aspects of the AH-1Z dates back to the Bell 249 in 1979, which was basically an AH-1S equipped with the four-blade rotor system from the Bell 412. This helicopter demonstrated Bell's Cobra II design at the Farnborough Airshow in 1980. The Cobra II was to be equipped with Hellfire missiles, a new targeting system and improved engines. Later came the Cobra 2000 proposal which included General Electric T700 engines and a four-blade rotor. This design drew interest from the US Marine Corps, but funding was not available. In 1993, Bell proposed an AH-1W-based version for the UK's new attack helicopter program. The derivative design, named CobraVenom, featured a modern digital cockpit and could carry TOWs, Hellfire or Brimstone missiles. The CobraVenom design was altered in 1995 by changing to a four-blade rotor system. The design lost to the AH-64D later that year however.[2]
In 1996, the USMC launched the H-1 upgrade program by signing a contract with Bell Helicopter for upgrading 180 AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs and upgrading 100 UH-1Ns into UH-1Ys.[2][3] The H-1 program created completely modernized attack and utility helicopters with considerable design commonality to reduce operating costs. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y share a common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drive train, avionics architecture, software, controls and displays for over 84% identical components.[4]
Bell participated in a joint Bell-Government integrated test team during the engineering manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the H-1 program. The AH-1Z program progressed slowly from 1996 to 2003 largely as a research and development operation.[2] The existing two-bladed semi-rigid, teetering rotor system is being replaced with a four-bladed, hingeless, bearingless rotor system. The improvement in flight characteristics provided by the four-bladed configuration has led to increases in flight envelope, maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb, payload and rotor vibration level.[5]
The AH-1Z first flew on 8 December 2000.[6] Three prototype aircraft were delivered to NAVAIR's Naval Air Station Patuxent River in July 2002 for the flight test phase of the program. Low-rate initial production followed beginning in October 2003,[2] with deliveries to run through 2018.[7]
In February 2008, Bell received a contract for the last 40 AH-1Zs to be built as new airframes instead of the previously planned rebuild of AH-1Ws.[8] Bell delivered an AH-1Z on 8 February 2008. A full-rate production decision is expected later in 2008.[9] In September 2008 the Navy, who procures aircraft for the Marine Corps, planned to propose adding 46 additional AH-1Zs bringing the total number ordered to 226. The additional aircraft will appear on the 2010 fiscal budget request.[10]
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.[4]
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 stowage aboard Amphibious assault ships.[4] 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.[2]
The Z-model's integrated avionics system (IAS) has been developed by Northrop Grumman. The system include 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 a low-airspeed air data subsystem, which allows weapons delivery when hovering.[5]
The crew are equipped with the Thales "Top Owl" helmet-mounted sight and display system.[1] 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 Infared Suppression System (HIRSS) to cover engine exhausts, countermeasure dispensers, radar warning, missile warning and laser warning systems.[4]
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.[4]
The AH-1Z completed sea-trial flight testing in May 2005.[11] On 15 October 2005, the USMC, through the Naval Air Systems Command, accepted delivery of the first AH-1Z production helicopter to enter the fleet.[12] During the first quarter of 2006 the aircraft were transferred to the Operational Test Unit at the NAS Patuxent River, where they began operational evaluation (OPEVAL) testing.[13]
In February 2008, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y began the second and final portion of OPEVAL testing.[14]
- United States Marine Corps (180 on Order)
Data from Bell Specifications,[4] The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002-2003,[15] Modern Battlefield Warplanes[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2: pilot, CPG (co-pilot/gunner)
- 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)
- Maximum speed: 160 kn (184 mph, 296 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 134 kn (150 mph, 248 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 3-barreled 20 mm M197 Gatling gun in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 round ammo capacity)
- Hardpoints: 6
- Rockets: 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 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 8 missiles mounted in two 4-round M272 missile launchers, one on each outboard hardpoint
 AH-1Z at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar air show, side cockpit view |
 AH-1Z at the MCAS Miramar air show, front view |
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
- ^ a b Bell AH-1Z page, Bell Helicopter, Retrieved 3 January 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f Donald, David. Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRTime Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-880588-76-5.
- ^ Bishop, Chris. Huey Cobra Gunships. Osprey Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-84176-984-3.
- ^ a b c d e f Bell AH-1Z Pocket Guide, Bell Helicopter, Retrieved 3 January 2008.
- ^ a b AH-1W/AH-1Z Super Cobra Attack Helicopter, USA, Airforce-Technology.com. Retrieved 14 January 2008.
- ^ "AH-1Z completes first flight", Bell Helicopter, 7 December 2000.
- ^ "AH-1Z/UH-1Y complete developmental testing", US Navy, 6 March 2006.
- ^ Warwick, Graham. "Bell AH-1Z upgrade to switch to new airframes", Flightglobal.com, 15 February 2008.
- ^ "Bell H-1 upgrade program delivers two UH-1Y and one AH-1Z in February", Bell Helicopter, 3 March 2008.
- ^ Trimble, Stephen (2008-08-22). "US Navy proposes more UH-1Ys, AH-1Zs despite test phase setback". flightglogal.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-24.
- ^ "AH-1Z/UH-1Y complete first sea trials", US Navy, 13 June 2005.
- ^ "Bell 449 SuperCobra and KingCobra", Jane's Information Group, 7 December 2005.
- ^ "AH-1Z/UH-1Y Start OPEVAL", US Navy, 6 May 2006.
- ^ Warwick, Graham. "US Marine Corps' Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y enter final test phase", Flightglobal.com, 20 February 2008.
- ^ Frawley, Gerard: The International Directory of Military Aircraft, page 37. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: AH-1 Cobra |
- AH-1Z page on Bell Helicopter Textron web site
- AH-1Z Viper page on US Navy RDA site
- AH-1Z / UH-1Y on U.S. Navy PMA-276 site
- AH-1Z page on GlobalSecurity.org
- Bell AH-1Z Super Cobra - Bell 449 on helis.com
- H-1 Upgrade Program (UH-1Y/AH-1Z), U.S. Marine Corps, 2007.
- "First Production H-1 Helicopters Rollout", Bell Helicopter, 27 September 2006
- "New H-1s reach 3,000 hrs, prep for OpEval", U.S. Marine Corps, 13 June 2005.
- " AH-1Z Super Cobra Completes Envelope Expansion Testing", U.S. Navy, 9 January 2003.
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