5/15/2023 0 Comments Gunship iii migThe CobraVenom design was further refined two years later, notably by the adoption of a four-blade rotor system. This derivative, which was named the CobraVenom, featured a modern digital cockpit and could carry wire-guided missiles, Hellfire or Brimstone missiles. During 1993, Bell opted to enter an AH-1W-based variant for the UK's new attack helicopter program. While Bell's for the proposal did generate some interest within the US Marine Corps, funding was not forthcoming to pursue its development at that time. The further-developed Cobra 2000 proposal included the General Electric T700 engine and a four-blade rotor. As promoted by Bell, the Cobra II was to be equipped with various new and redesigned combat systems, which included the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile, a new targeting system, and was also to be powered by improved engines as well. The Bell 249 was used as a demonstrator for Bell's Cobra II concept, and made an appearance at the Farnborough Airshow in 1980. At one point, Pakistan was set to operate its own AH-1Zs, but deliveries were blocked due to political factors.Īspects of the AH-1Z can be traced back to the experimental Bell 249 of 1979, which was essentially an upgraded AH-1S, having been equipped with the four-blade main rotor system from the Bell 412 utility helicopter. The first export customer was the Royal Bahraini Air Force, the Czech Air Force has also ordered the type. Additionally, numerous export customers have been sought for the AH-1Z, it has regularly competed with the Boeing AH-64 Apache for orders. Since its introduction, the USMC has pursued various upgrades, such as installing Link 16 datalink and outfitting it with the AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The type forms a key element of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) taskforce which support all phases of USMC expeditionary operations. On 30 September 2010, the USMC declared that the AH-1Z had attained combat readiness it fully replaced the preceding AH-1W Super Cobra during October 2020. On 8 December 2000, the AH-1Z conducted its maiden flight low-rate initial production was launched in October 2003. Furthermore, it features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system amongst other improvements. The AH-1Z and Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter share a common tailboom, engines, rotor system, drivetrain, avionics architecture, software, controls and displays for over 84% identical components. It is essentially a modernisation of the service's existing AH-1Ws, and was originally intended to be a rebuild program before subsequent orders were made for new-build helicopters instead. The AH-1Z was developed during the 1990s and 2000s as a part of the H-1 upgrade program on behalf of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Being one of the latest members of the prolific Bell Huey family, it is also called "Zulu Cobra", based on the military phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter. The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter.
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