Good team A
major upgrade for the existing
USMC H-1 fleet was initiated in 1996 to remanufacture 189 AH-1Ws into the AH-1Z and 160 UH-1Ns into the UH-1Y for the U.S. Marine Corps. The last UH- 1Y under this program was delivered in 2018 and the last AH-1Z in 2022. HMLA- 773 was one of the last units to receive the new AH-1Z and UH-1Y. It operated the legacy Bell UH-1N Huey until April 2014 and the AH-1W Super Cobra until the beginning of 2020.
The new helicopters share roughly 85% commonality in parts, and enhance the maintainability and employability of the fleet in the Marine’s HMLAs. The new helicopters received new engines, a
68 Jan/Feb 2025
four-bladed composite rotor system, and a “glass cockpit.” They can carry a wide range of weapons. Besides its 20mm cannon, the AH-1Z Viper can be equipped with two AIM-9 Sidewinders (the AIM-9M version is now in use with HMLA-773), LAU-61 19-shot rocket pod, LAU-68 seven-shot rocket pod, AGM- 114 Hellfire rocket, and the new AGM- 179 JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missile) that is currently entering service with the Marine Corps. The AH-1Z also received a 3.5 micron-based FLIR system with CCD color TV and Lockheed Martin AN/ AAQ-30 Target Sight System (TSS).
The UH-1Y Venom has become even more versatile
than its
the UH-1N, and is now employable in both the transport and gunship roles.
predecessor,
Typical armament configuration of the UH-1Y is two LAU-68 seven-shot rocket pods or two LAU-61C/A 19-shot rocket pods with GAU-17 and GAU-21 guns. The cabin has space for up to 10 passengers and a litter can be installed. For communications, the UH-1Y has an extensive suite of three AN/ARC-210 radios with KY-58 encryption device, wideband non-DAMA SATCOM, AN/ PRC-117
Multiband Manpack Radio,
and ROVER Kit remotely operated video enhanced receiver. The Venom also has the AN/AAQ-22E Brite Star Block II Sensor and Targeting System. Pilots on both the UH-1Y and AH-1Z can use the sophisticated TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display to enhance the pilot’s situational awareness and flight safety during night operations.
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