Bell completes delivery of 189th AH-1Z Viper to the US Marine Corps
This delivery completes the United States Military program of record for H-1 Helicopters
Bell Textron Inc. celebrated the delivery of the 189th AH-1Z Viper to the US Marine Corps, completing the Program of Record (POR) for the latest version of the storied H-1 platform.
Bell completed the UH-1Y POR of 160 aircraft in 2018, which brings the combined H-1 POR to a total of 349 aircraft. In Combat search and rescue (CSAR) situations, the Viper can be used as the covering aircraft to protect medevac teams.
The current generation AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom are used by the Department of Defense. These two aircraft share a high level of commonality (85 per cent), which gives the Marines logistical agility and reduces operating costs. The AH-1Z achieved initial operating capacity in February 2011 and the UH-1Y achieved initial operating capacity in August 2008. The first combined Viper/Venom deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit occurred in 2009.
“H-1s are key to the 2022 Marine Corps Aviation Plan,” said Colonel Vasillios Pappas, Light/Attack Helicopters Program Manager (PMA-276). “With the US program of record now complete, the Marines have the flexibility to manage and deploy the helicopters based on current and future mission requirements as established at the start of the program.”
The manufacturer has been producing H-1s for the US Military since 1959. The first H-1 was designed for the US Army, nicknamed ‘Huey’. In 1966, Bell created the AH-1 Cobra as the first dedicated gunship. Then in 1970, the UH-1N brought twin engine capabilities to more than 28 countries. Bell provided the AH-1W to the US Marine Corps in 1984 to increase attack helicopter capability.
“The first production lot of US Marine Corps H-1s was ordered in 1962, and they changed the way Marines fight today,” said Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 Vice President and Program Director. “Completing the AH-1Z and UH-1Y deliveries to the US Marine Corps adds one more chapter to the legacy of the H-1 platform.”
It is not just the US Military who use Bell aircraft, the Royal Jordanian Air Force just signed a contract for 10 Bell 505 helicopters.