The Bell AH-1Z Viper^[4] is an American twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps as part of the H-1 upgrade program. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system.^[5] The AH-1Z, one of the latest members of the prolific Huey family, is also called "Zulu Cobra", based on the military phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter.


General characteristics

• Crew: two: pilot, co-pilot/gunner (CPG)
  
• Capacity: 6,661 lb (3,021 kg)
  
• Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m)
  
• Rotor diameter: 48 ft (14.6 m)
  
• Height: 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
  
• Disc area: 1,808 ft² (168.0 m²)
  
• Empty weight: 12,300 lb (5,580 kg)
  
• Useful load: 5,764 lb (2,620 kg)
  
• Max. takeoff weight: 18,500 lb (8,390 kg)
  
• Rotor systems: 4 blades on main rotor, 4 blades on tail rotor
  
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,800 shp (1,340 kW) each
  

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 222 knots (255 mph, 411 km/h) in a dive
  
• Cruise speed: 160 kt (184 mph, 296 km/h)
  
• Range: 370 nmi (426 mi, 685 km)
  
• Combat radius: 125 nmi (144 mi, 231 km) with 2,500 lb (1,130 kg) payload
  
• Service ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,000+ m)
  
• Rate of climb: 2,790 ft/min (14.2 m/s)
  

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 round ammo capacity)
  
• Hardpoints: Up to 6 pylon stations on stub wing
  
• Rockets: 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 or APKWS II^[49] rockets – Mounted in LAU-68C/A (7 shot) or LAU-61D/A (19 shot) launchers (up to 76 unguided or 28 guided rockets total)^[50]
  
• Missiles:
  
  • AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles – 1 mounted on each wing tip station (total of 2)
    
  • AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles – Up to 16 missiles mounted in four 4-round M272 missile launchers, two on each wing