The Bell AH-1Z Cobra helicopter has successfully completed its operational evaluation and has been deemed “operationally effective and suitable”.
“This marks a significant milestone for the program,” said COL Harry Hewson, program manager for US Marine light and attack helicopters. “The AH-1Z has come a long way through development and it has finally proven itself as a lethal and reliable attack helicopter. The Marines in the fleet are very eager to get their hands on the ‘Zulu’ and get it into the fight.”
The AH-1Z is a substantial redesign of the current AH-1W Super Cobra, and shares 84 per cent common parts with the similar UH-1Y upgrade of the UH-1N. Both were developed under the USMC’s H-1 Upgrade Program which will see both 189 new build and remanufactured AH-1Zs delivered to 2021.
