HANGAR TALK
Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Earns Navy Initial Operating Capability Designation Ahead of Schedule
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced today that the U.S. Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the
ROTORCRAFTPROFESSIONAL
AH-1Z Cobra, achieved Initial Operating Capability ahead of schedule in February. "The AH-1Z is a magnifi- cent machine and I am thrilled that the Zulu has now been designated ready for combat." said John L Garrison, presi- dent Bell Helicopter. "The
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partnership between Bell Helicopter and the Navy- Marine Corp team demon- strates that we are both fully committed to providing world class equipment for our warfighters."
The U.S. Marine Corps is
replacing the two-bladed AH- 1W with the AH-1Z, which fea- tures a new, four-bladed com- posite rotor system, perform- ance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, two
additional wing stores stations on larger stub wings, upgraded landing gear and a fully inte- grated glass cockpit. The AH-1Z will see a 120% increase mission radius with attack payload over the AH-1W.
As part of the H-1 Upgrade
Program, the AH-1Z replaces the currently fielded AH-1W. The AH-1Z will serve a primary role in assault support, offen- sive air support and air recon- naissance. The Zulu will play a
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