Bell AH-1Z Viper

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 10/15/2013 at 16:44 • Filed to: Planelopnik

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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.

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.

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.

It is powered by 2 General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines delivering 1,800 shaft horsepower (1,340 kW) each.

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) or AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, up to 16 missiles mounted in four 4-round M272 missile launchers, two on each wing.

Wikipedia

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > ttyymmnn 10/15/2013 at 16:48

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Ahh yes, the Super Cobra.

ttyymmnn > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/15/2013 at 16:49

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This is like the Super-Super Cobra. I wonder how this aircraft would rank against the Apache.

Z_Stig > ttyymmnn 10/15/2013 at 16:54

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That is one bad looking m'fer right there.

Menebrio > ttyymmnn 10/15/2013 at 17:14

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Although it was designed as reconnaissance helicopter for the Attack ones (like the Apache and the Super Cobra), I always thought the Commanche was the future of helicopters. It also looked kind of cool with those stealthy angles (clearly developed during the success of the F-117 Nighthawk and molded after its angles) and hidden weaponry. U$ 7.5 billion seems miniscule compared to the F-35 budget, but that is also a plane.

ttyymmnn > Menebrio 10/15/2013 at 17:19

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We have yet to see the stealthy helicopter that was used in the bin Laden raid, and it's likely that much of the technology that was used on that helo was developed with the Commanche. However, I think the AH-1Z is proof that there is still a whole lot we can do with existing airframes, rather than pour billions into brand new hardware. I wonder how many more upgraded F/A-18s or F-15E Silent Eagles we could have had for the cost of the F-22 and F-35.

SteyrTMP > ttyymmnn 10/17/2013 at 04:54

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It's considerably faster and more maneuverable than the Apache. Also harder to hit due to the narrow body.