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USMC AH-1Z New Long-Range Missile
Late last year, the US Marine Corps (USMC) successfully executed its first live employment test of a new Long Range Precision Fire (LRPF) capability. The event was successfully executed at Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG) in Yuma, AZ where an AH-1Z conducted single launch by way of a wireless application via Marine Air-Ground Tablet (MAGTAB).
The November test at YPG exceeded the threshold requirements with regards to position, navigation, and timing. This activity marks the first time a Marine Corps rotary-wing platform has employed a weapon system using a tablet-controlled device.
“Assessments of current and future capability gaps of the fleets needs identified this LRPF initiative as a cost-effective, long-range precision weapon for use against maritime and land-based targets,” said Col Scott Shadforth, Director, Expeditionary Maritime Aviation – Advanced Development Team (XMA-ADT), in a NAVAIR news release.
This project is an Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) sponsored Defense Innovation Acceleration (DIA) project led by the XMA-ADT to evaluate cost-effective, long-range disparate effects in expeditionary and maritime environments.
Viper
The USMC replaced the two-bladed AH-1W Super Cobra with the AH-1Z Viper, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit. The AH-1Z is equipped with an integrated advanced fire control system and the capacity to support multiple weapons configurations.
The AH-1Z is the world’s only marinized attack helicopter, engineered and manufactured to withstand the harsh salt water environment and unique requirements that come with shipboard operations. Sharing 85% commonality with the UH-1Y, the Bell AH-1Z is the only attack helicopter built to simplify maintenance, training, and supply efforts.
With virtually identical front and rear “glass” cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems, the Bell AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft weapons and survivability equipment in the world.
Weapons
With anti-armor and air-to-air missiles, the Bell AH-1Z is designed to operate – and destroy targets – in the most extreme environments. The Bell AH-1Z is the only attack helicopter in the world with fully-integrated air-to-air missile capability—giving you an airborne edge. The Viper in fact can be armed with two Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, sixteen air-to-ground missiles and weapons system-guided rockets.
The AH-1Z features the most technically advanced Helmet Mounted Sight and Display system available, the Optimized TopOwl delivers mission critical data while reducing cockpit workload. Advanced Electronic Warfare Self Protection (EWSP) suite and ballistically hardened components offer protection from a broad range of modern threat weapons.
The Viper is also able to accurately identify long-range targets—in any weather, day or night. The third-generation Target Sight System provides greater reach and precision in your toughest attacks.
Photo credit: U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps
