Aircraft & UAVs

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a two-seat U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopter developed for the H-1 upgrade program. Bell describes it as a marinized attack-and-reconnaissance platform with a four-bladed composite rotor, 200 KIAS top speed, 310 nm range, and six weapon stations, while official Navy reporting says the Marine Corps declared AGM-179A JAGM initial operational capability on the AH-1Z and that AH-1Z pilots tested the missile in 2021.

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: AH-1Z Viper (USMC) Pendleton 107.jpg

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Bell
Type: Attack helicopter
Service note: 2010s-present
Developed from: AH-1W Super Cobra

aircraft helicopter attack helicopter close air support precision fires strike

Specifications

Crew: 2
Maximum speed: 200 KIAS
Combat radius: 131 nm
Maximum range: 310 nm
Weapon stations: 6
Rotor system: Four-bladed all-composite rotor
Commonality: About 85% commonality with the UH-1Y
Armament: 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, 16 air-to-ground missiles, and weapons-system-guided rockets

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: The Marine Corps replaced the two-bladed AH-1W Super Cobra with the AH-1Z Viper, and Bell and NAVAIR describe it as the Marines' attack helicopter.
Used by: United States Marine Corps

Carried Munitions

Official Navy reporting says the Marine Corps declared JAGM initial operational capability on the AH-1Z Viper, and AH-1Z pilots tested the missile in 2021.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

Air-to-surface precision-guided missile

The Navy reported that the Marine Corps declared JAGM initial operational capability on the AH-1Z and that AH-1Z pilots tested the missile in November and December 2021.

Sources: Marine Corps JAGM Initial Operational Capability

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter Images

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: AH-1Z Viper (USMC) Pendleton 107.jpg

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: AH-1Z Viper Armament.jpg

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: Bell AH-1Z Viper Line Drawing.svg

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Sources

Bell AH-1Z ViperPublisher: Bell | Note: Supports manufacturer background and baseline AH-1Z specifications including crew, range, speed, weapon stations, and mission role. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Four Ways the Bell AH-1Z Viper Is Shaping the Future of FlightPublisher: Bell | Note: Supports AH-1Z mission roles, the six-weapon-station configuration, and Bell's described load options. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Bell H1 Aircraft: AH-1Z Attack and UH-1Y Utility HelicopterPublisher: Bell | Note: Supports the AH-1Z and UH-1Y commonality claim and related H-1 program background. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AH-1Z Viper | NAVAIRPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports the AH-1Z replacement of the AH-1W Super Cobra and the Marine Corps attack-helicopter context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Bell Completes U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Program of RecordPublisher: Bell | Note: Supports AH-1Z service-entry context and Bell's production background for the Marine Corps program of record. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Marine Corps JAGM Initial Operational CapabilityPublisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports the AH-1Z's role in Marine Corps JAGM IOC and AH-1Z pilot testing. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AH-1Z Viper (USMC) Pendleton 107.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for the primary AH-1Z Viper photo, a public-domain U.S. Marine Corps image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AH-1Z Viper Armament.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a public-domain U.S. Navy photo showing AH-1Z armament loading. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Bell AH-1Z Viper Line Drawing.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a CC BY 3.0 three-view line drawing of the AH-1Z Viper. | Accessed: 2026-06-23