AH 1Z Viper Close Air Support Helicopters In Action During USMC Exercises

The AH-1Z Viper gunship is based on the AH-1W Super Cobra. This helicopter is used by the US Marine Corps. It follows the line of the AH-1 Cobra, which was the world first dedicated attack helicopter. The Viper was introduced in 2010 and full-rate production began in 2012.

The AH-1Z Viper has new engines, new rotor, uprated transmission upgraded avionics and new target sighting system. Upgraded helicopters have improved flight characteristics. This helicopter is fitted with infrared suppression system, which covers exhausts.

The Viper is armed with a 20-mm three-barrel cannon. It can carry up to 16 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. It can also carry pods with unguided rockets and two Sidewinder fire-and-forget air-to-air missiles.

No aircraft defines the role of close air support better than the Marine AH-1 Super Cobra/Viper. Whether it's providing cover for advancing ground forces or escorting assault support helicopters en route to a landing zone, the AH-1Z is called on when Marines need firepower from the air.

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Pakistan - AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles

Defense Security Cooperation Agency

NEWS RELEASE

On the web: http://www.dsca.mil

A U.S. Marine AH-1Z taking off from the USS Makin Island (LHD-8) in 2010.

WASHINGTON, Apr 6, 2015 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $952 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters, 32 T-700 GE 401C Engines (30 installed and 2 spares), 1000 AGM-114 R Hellfire II Missiles in containers, 36 H-1 Technical Refresh Mission computers, 17 AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight Systems, 30 629F-23 Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency Communication Systems, 19 H-764 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, 32 Helmet Mounted Display/Optimized Top Owl, 17 APX-117A Identification Friend or Foe, 17 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 17 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Sets, 18 AN/APR-39C(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, 15 Joint Mission Planning Systems, and 17 M197 20mm Gun Systems. Also included are system integration and testing, software development and integration, aircraft ferry, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $952 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a country vital to U.S. foreign policy and national security goals in South Asia. This proposed sale of helicopters and weapon systems will provide Pakistan with military capabilities in support of its counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations in South Asia. This proposed sale will provide Pakistan with a precision strike, enhanced survivability aircraft that it can operate at high-altitudes. By acquiring this capability, Pakistan will enhance its ability to conduct operations in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and other remote and mountainous areas in all-weather, day-and-night environments.

An AH-1Z from HMLAT-303 at Camp Pendleton.

Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron in Fort Worth, Texas; General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts; The Boeing Company in Huntsville, Alabama; and Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Maryland. There are no known offset agreements proposed in conjunction with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews, as well as training and maintenance support in country for a period of 66 months. It will also require three contractor representatives to reside in country for a period of three years to support this program. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

India Lobbies Hard To Give A Tactical Advantage To The Taliban

Indian 'South Block' has been running with cash bags to US Congressmen and defense pundits for years in order to block the sale of Attack Helicopters to Pakistan.Since 2002 Pakistan has been requesting the US for the sale of AH-64D Apache Longbow or AH-1Z Viper as a primary requirement. Pakistan's old AH-1F/S Cobras are handicapped. Their ability to detect and kill Taliban insurgents at night is next to nothing. With dumb rockets and a gun with no credible night ops capabilities, it can only fulfill a limited number of roles.

 

AH-64D Apache Longbow.

Pakistani military officials say that Indians have lobbied so hard to block the sales of these copters that they added provisions in their own Apache purchase that Pakistan won't be sold this capability even when its direly needed in the full knowledge of CENTCOM and Pentagon. The Indians ditched Mi-28E and angered Russia for keeping AH-64D or AH-1Z away from being sold to Pakistan. Pakistani officials are of the opinion that the insurgents attack checkposts at night and Cobras can't operate effectively at night. Milimeterwave radar, motion sensor integrated, thermal, infrared electro optical targeting turrets along with integrated avionics, Datalink and HMS are the core requirements for effectively tracking and killing the Taliban at night and day.

 

AH-1Z Viper.

Pakistani experts believe that India is lobbying so hard to give the Taliban, which is its proxy a tactical advantage over the Pakistani forces. The US has refused to sell both Apache and Zulu due to Indian lobby. They are even trying to block the sale of US made Turboshaft engines to Turkey, which wants to sell its T-129 ATAK gunship to Pakistan which has similar capabilities to AH-1Z and Apache. Pakistan needs to make it clear if the US is going to clear those gunships or engines for Turkish gunships. If the US wants to toe the Indian line and give the animals who massacre our kids a tactical advantage, we should opt for Mi-28NE from Russia and cease all counter-terrorism cooperation with US. 

 

Mi-28NE Havoc.

 

TAI T129 ATAK Multi-Role Helicopter.

Source: Pakistan Defence