Bell AH-1Z Viper

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter and nicknamed Zulu Cobra. It was developed in the 1990s and 2000s as part of the H-1 upgrade program for the United States Marine Corps, essentially as a modernisation of the service's existing AH-1Ws, and was first meant to be a rebuild program before orders were placed for new-build helicopters. It first flew on 8 December 2000, Bell delivered three prototypes to the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River in July 2002 for flight testing, and low-rate initial production began in October 2003. The last 40 aircraft of the Marine order were built as new airframes rather than rebuilt AH-1Ws. Crews use the Thales Top Owl helmet-mounted sight and display.