AirSkyBuster : Aircraft and Airplane

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AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 4)
AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 4. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 4.
The AH-1Z first flew on 8 December 2000. Bell delivered three prototype aircraft to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in July 2002, for the flight test phase of the program. Low-rate initial production began in October 2003, with deliveries to run through 2018. In February 2008, the United States Navy adjusted the contract, with the last 40 AH-1Zs to be built as new airframes instead of the previously planned rebuild of AH-1Ws. In September 2008, the Navy requested an additional 46 airframes for the Marine Corps, bringing the total number ordered to 226. In 2010, the Marine Corps plans to order 189 AH-1Zs with 58 of them being new airframes, with deliveries to continue until 2019. On 10 December, the Department of the Navy approved full-rate production. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 4). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 4. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 4. The H-1 upgrade program combined upgrades of two USMC H-1 aircraft: the AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter and the UH-1N light utility helicopter. The common element of the two would be identical twin engines and drive trains, including a new four-bladed rotor previously developed but not fielded. In addition, the AH-1 attack helicopter would gain a new integrated cockpit and night targeting system. The upgrade was intended and expected to extend the life of the two H-1 models well into the 21st century. The AH-1 would contribute to precision engagement and full-dimensional protection. Bearingless, composite main rotor systems were successfully tested at BHTI in the early 1980's and were standard on the Bell 430 helicopter. Based on the performance of this rotor system, the USMC decided to incorporate it in their new AH-1Z helicopter. This unique rotor system was stated by the manufacturer to provide unprecedented agility, substantially increased speed, a smoother ride, a more stable weapons platform, and excellent reliability. It would also reduce crew fatigue and enhance combat mission effectiveness. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 4). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 4. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 4.

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AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 3)
AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 3. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 3.
Bell participated in a joint Bell-Government integrated test team during the engineering manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the H-1 program. The AH-1Z program progressed slowly from 1996 to 2003 largely as a research and development operation.[5] The existing two-blade semi-rigid, teetering rotor system is being replaced with a four-blade, hingeless, bearingless rotor system. The four-blade configuration provides improvements in flight characteristics including increased flight envelope, maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb, payload and reduced rotor vibration level. The AH-1Z Viper is an advanced, multi-mission, attack helicopter developed by Bell from the AH-1W SuperCobra. It entered service with US Marine Corps in 2010. The AH-1Z is a two-seat, twin-engine helicopter, featuring a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, and a new target sighting system. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 3). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 3. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 3. Armed with AGM-114 anti-tank missiles and equipped with hi-tech avionics, the Viper is capable of engaging and defeating the broadest array of threats at standoff ranges which staggers imagination. The AH-1Z is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines which delivers the maximum speed of 255 mph (411 km/h) and a range of 426 miles (685 km). The AH-1Z is fitted with a new bearingless, hingeless rotor system which 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 stowage aboard Amphibious assault ships. The AH-1Z incorporates new electro-optical sensors in an integrated weapons platform. It also has improved survivability and can find targets at longer ranges and attack them with precision weapons. The crew are equipped with the Thales "Top Owl" helmet-mounted sight and display system, which 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. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 3). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 3. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 3.

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AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 2)
AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 2. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 2.
In 1996, the USMC launched the H-1 upgrade program by signing a contract with Bell Helicopter for upgrading 180 AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs and upgrading 100 UH-1Ns into UH-1Ys. The H-1 program created completely modernized attack and utility helicopters with considerable design commonality to reduce operating costs. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y share a common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drive train, avionics architecture, software, controls and displays for over 84% identical components. A four bladed version of the AH-1W was designated the AH-1Z. The addition of the extra blades dramatically improves the performance envelope of the AH-1W. The AH-1W was also to be retrofitted with a Kollsman-manufactured Night Targeting System (NTS). The aircraft was also undergoing a cockpit reconfiguration to allow for easier copilot/gunner access to the NTS. The upgrade of the AH-1W, including the new cockpit, was initially referred to as the Four Bladed AH-1W (4BW) and the upgrade of the UH-1N drive train was initially referred to as the Four Bladed UH-1N (4BN). AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 2). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 2. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 2. Collectively, the 4BN/4BW effort constituted the USMC H-1 Upgrades Program. The Marine Corps planned to upgrade 180 of the AH-1W gunships to the new AH-1Z standard (formerly referred to as AH-1W (4BW)). The first flight was conducted in December 2000, with planned low-rate initial production beginning in February 2002, and deliveries planned to run from 2004 through 2013. In July 1998, Bell Helicopter competitively selected Lockheed Martin for development of the AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS). The TSS would provide advanced third generation thermal image processing, eye-safe laser range finding, target designation, and full fire control integration. In August 1998, four AH-1Ws were delivered to Bell Helicopter for conversion into AH-1Z test aircraft. In September 1998, engineers completed a highly successful critical design review of the airframe, which featured a state-of-the-art, computer generated electronic mock-up to convey design details. The design review paved the way for manufacturing development. Also in 1998, the program delivered seven AH-1Ws to the Marine Corps, bringing the aircraft inventory to 201. Additionally, several other improvements for the AH-1W (night targeting system and communications/navigation) continued. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 2). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 2. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 2.

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AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 1)
AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 1. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 1.
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.[4] The AH-1Z is part of the H-1 upgrade program. It is also called "Zulu Cobra" in reference to its variant letter. The US Marine Corps has finally cleared the Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Viper for operations, only a few weeks ahead of a decision to launch full-rate production. Declared "operationally effective and suitable" on 29 September, the AH-1Z programme can close the book on a protracted, four-year operational evaluation (OPEVAL) process delayed by reliability and technical glitches. "The AH-1Z has come a long way through development and it has finally proven itself as a lethal and reliable attack helicopter," says Col Harry Hewson, programme manager for USMC light and attack helicopters. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 1). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 1. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 1. The US Naval Air Systems Command says the OPEVAL report found "the AH-1Z fire control and additional weapons delivery modes allowed for improved weapons delivery accuracy, reduced pilot workload and enhanced employment flexibility compared with the AH-1W". The USMC plans to remanufacture and build a total of 189 AH-1Z attack helicopters through 2021. Aspects of the AH-1Z date back to the Bell 249 in 1979, which was basically an AH-1S equipped with the four-blade main rotor system from the Bell 412. This helicopter demonstrated Bell's Cobra II design at the Farnborough Airshow in 1980. The Cobra II was to be equipped with Hellfire missiles, a new targeting system and improved engines. Later came the Cobra 2000 proposal which included General Electric T700 engines and a four-blade rotor. This design drew interest from the US Marine Corps, but funding was not available. In 1993, Bell proposed an AH-1W-based version for the UK's new attack helicopter program. The derivative design, named CobraVenom, featured a modern digital cockpit and could carry TOWs, Hellfire or Brimstone missiles. The CobraVenom design was altered in 1995 by changing to a four-blade rotor system. The design lost to the AH-64D later that year however. AH-1Z Viper (Wallpaper 1). AH-1Z Viper helicopter photo wallpaper gallery 1. AH-1Z Viper helicopter pictures and images collection 1.