These are the AH-1Z Vipers, the multi-purpose helicopters that Ukraine wants to strengthen its air potential on the front.

Ukraine needs more reinforcements. This is what Volodymyr Zelensky and members of his government are actively and passively repeating, as they continue to seek to consolidate their counteroffensive in Kursk and neutralize Russia’s ongoing drone and missile attacks. To this end, in addition to the F-16 fighters received after long and arduous negotiations, Ukraine is now reportedly seeking an agreement with the US Department of Defense for acquire 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper combat helicopters.

According to the portal Defense NewsNegotiations remain “active”, and Ukraine would be a favorable destination for teams that have been “flooding” for years without finding a final buyer. These helicopters, originally manufactured in 2017 for Pakistan and their delivery postponed due to the lack of cooperation of the Pakistani authorities against the Taliban in Afghanistan, seemed destined for Slovakia, which was looking to acquire them at a reduced price after the donation of Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighters and 2K12 Kub air defense systems to Ukraine. However, the country headed by Robert Fico seems to be increasingly moving towards other platforms, such as Patriot air defense systems or F-16 fighters.

Before the US looks for another buyer, Ukraine is trying to include them in one of the aid programs that Biden regularly approves. “These helicopters are essential for our soldiers fighting on the front lines in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia and for conducting operations in the Kursk region,” Vadym Ivchenko said. Member of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence of the Ukrainian Parliament who assured Defense News that the country is interested in acquiring them from 2022. Their incorporation into the kyiv arsenal This would be a significant addition to Ukrainian air capabilities.particularly for its flexibility and ability to defeat all types of threats, including drones.

combat helicopter

The beginnings of the AH-1Z Viper from the American manufacturer Bell Helicopter date back to 1979 and the Bell 249 model, an attack and reconnaissance helicopter with a four-blade main rotor system, which took shape as the Cobra II concept at the Farnborough Airshow in 1980Its major new features were its equipment with Hellfire missiles and General Electric T700 engines.

Although this initial design attracted the attention of the United States Marine Corps, the Pentagon did not have the funds at the time to undertake the development and acquisition of the model proposed by Bell. Years later, in 1993, the manufacturer insisted on the Viper/Venom concept (attack and utility helicopter), with a version based on the AH-1W for the United Kingdom’s attack helicopter program, with modern digital cockpit capable of carrying wire-guided missilesboth Hellfire and Brimstone. However, it also failed to find its niche, occupied by the AH-64D.

Eventually, the Bell AH-1Z Viper (also known as the Zulu Cobra) became an upgrade of the AH-1W SuperCobra. Research and development for its launch progressed slowly from 1996 to 2003, with the two-bladed semi-rigid tiltrotor system being replaced by one to four blades, without hinges and without bearingsThis configuration aimed to bring improvements in various aspects, such as maximum speed, vertical climb rate, higher payload and lower engine vibrations.

Its first flight was recorded in December 2000, but The process until its commissioning was slow and not without pitfalls.. After Bell delivered 3 prototypes to the US Marines in 2002, the flight test phase of the program began and initial production began a year later. It was not until 2010 that it was officially declared combat ready and since then it has been operating in the US Marine Corps. Subsequently, the sale of 12 units to the Bahraini Armed Forces and 12 more to the Czech Republic was authorized.

Reconnaissance and attack

The AH-1Z Viper has a length of 17.80 meters, a height of 4.37 m and a rotor diameter of 14.60 m. The maximum gross weight, according to its technical data sheet, is 8,391 kg, with a payload of 2,614 kg, and Its combat radius extends up to 242 km, with a flight ceiling of 6,100 meters..

The two integrated engines, the main rotor and the tail rotor, are the T700-GE-401C, with a power of 1,800 hpwhich allows it to reach a cruising speed of 257 km/h and a maximum speed of 370 km/h.

Its main advantage is its versatility, since it is designed to carry out different types of missions, fromsupport from aerial and ground shooting to aerial reconnaissance thanks to its advanced sensors or as an escort to provide protection to other air, land or sea units.

The rotor blades are made of composite materials, with a greater ballistic survivability than usual, and incorporate a semi-automatic folding system for storage on board amphibious assault ships. In terms of weapons, one of its greatest assets to face threats such as drones is the M197 rotary cannon with 3 x 20mm barrelsmounted on an A/A49E-7 turret with 750 rounds.

Its versatility is also based on the number and diversity of missiles it carries. Launchers for 7 or 19 Hydra 70 rockets are integrated under its fuselage, 16 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles distributed in 4 launchers and 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, located at the hardpoint at the tip of each wing. The AN/APG-78 long-arc fire control radar can also be mounted on a wingtip station.

The avionics system developed by Northrop Grumman includes two mission computers and an automatic flight control system. Designed to give both crew members the same control options, each cockpit has two LCD screens, although Helmet visors integrate Thales’ Top Owl visualization system.

Lockheed Martin’s Target Sighting System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR sensor, which provides observation of targets during the day, at night or in adverse weather conditions.

The communications suite combines an integrated RT-1824 radio and modem into a single unit. For its part, The navigation system is inertial with integrated GPSand to this we must add a digital mapping system and a low-speed aerial data subsystem.

One of the unique features of the AH-1Z Viper is that it is 85 percent similar to the UH-1Y utility vehicle, which greatly simplifies maintenance, training, and supply of both aircraft. In addition, according to Bell Helicopter, it is “the world’s only marinized attack helicopter“, designed and manufactured to withstand the harsh conditions of salt water and the unique demands of shipboard operations.”