AH-1Z Cobra
Bell Helicopter announced yesterday that the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, successfully completed Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL).
“We are pleased and proud that the AH-1Z has completed its operational evaluation,” said John Garrison, president of Bell Helicopter. “The AH-1Z is a remarkable aircraft that is only made stronger by the Marine aviators that fly them
The Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.
A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2019.
The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. The program’s goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors.
The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent commonality of parts between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y utility helicopters.
This commonality reduces lifecycle and training costs and decreases the expeditionary logistics footprint for both aircraft.
- AIR-ATTACK-
Filed under: News Tagged: | AH-1, AH-1 Cobra, U.S. Marine Corps H-1, UH-1
