The 189th and closing AH-1Z Viper plane of the U.S. Marine Corps Program of Report (POR) was delivered from Bell to the U.S. Marine Corps right here, November 4. Col. Nathan “MOG” Marvel, commanding officer of Marine Plane Group 39, flew the Viper from Bell in Amarillo, Texas to the receiving unit, Marine Gentle Assault Helicopter Coaching Squadron (HMLAT) 303, the place a brief reception acknowledging the historic second ensued. Bell accomplished the UH-1Y Venom POR of 160 plane in 2018, bringing the mixed H-1 POR to 349 plane. The U.S. Marine Corps ordered its first lot of H-1s in 1962, and this system has advanced within the six many years following.
“The completion of the H-1 Program of Report supply is a momentous occasion for Marine Aviation. Under no circumstances is that this the tip of an period – it’s the subsequent chapter within the nice legacy of the H-1 and the U.S. Marine Corps. At present’s H-1s are much more deadly, survivable and sustainable than their predecessors. They bring about functionality and capability to the battle area that no different platform can present. These plane construct on fight confirmed duties equivalent to Offensive Air Help and Assault Help but in addition have demonstrated the flexibility to conduct sea management and sea denial operations. They’re confirmed kill chain enablers and effecters,” Col. Nathan “MOG” Marvel stated.
Commercial
The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine assault helicopter that includes a four-blade, bearingless, composite predominant rotor system with armament together with the M197 Gatling gun, 70 millimeter rockets, and air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, together with the most recent AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Floor Missile (JAGM). The UH-1Y Venom is a twin-engine medium measurement utility helicopter with armament together with 70 millimeter rockets and mounts for a wide range of machine weapons. The AH-1Z and Bell UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter share a standard tailboom, engines, rotor system, drivetrain, avionics structure, software program, controls and shows for over 84% an identical elements.
In 1996, the USMC launched the H-1 improve program by signing a contract with Bell Helicopter for upgrading 180 AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs and upgrading 100 UH-1Ns into UH-1Ys. For the reason that first supply of the AH-1Z and UH-1Y to the U.S. Marines, the H-1 combined fleet has collected greater than 450,000 flight hours by way of a full spectrum of navy operations. Bell will proceed to assist the U.S. H-1s with lethality, survivability, and reliability upgrades by way of a long-term modernization plan that helps make sure the plane hold an amazing tactical benefit for generations. The H-1 manufacturing line remains to be lively in assist of international navy gross sales to authorized U.S. allies, together with the Kingdom of Bahrain and Czech Republic.
