AH-1Z approved for full rate production

US Navy ^ | 11/30/2010 | Stephanie Vendrasco

[sukhoi-30mki]

AH-1Z approved for full rate production

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- The U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra was approved for full rate production Nov. 28.

The H-1 program office received official word on the milestone III approval decision from Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics, Dr. Ashton B. Carter through an acquisition decision memorandum.

"This is the culmination of a lot of focused hard work by a lot of dedicated professionals," said Col. Harry Hewson, the Marines' program manager for light and attack helicopter programs. "We spent the past two years executing a very detailed risk reduction program that tested every part of the weapons and fire control system on the AH-1Z. It performed very well in operational test last spring and I am confident that it will do as well in combat as the UH-1Y is doing right now in Afghanistan. The next phase of this program is getting the Zulu into the hands of the fleet and into combat. The Zulu is going to give the Marines on the ground a whole new level of long range targeting and precision firepower for close air support."

After completing operational testing this summer, the AH-1Z was determined to be operationally effective and suitable, a finding that is a prerequisite to the full rate production decision.

"Getting the Zulu into full rate production is very important for the Marines and for our Nation," said Rear Adm. Steve Eastburg, Program Executive Officer for Air, Assault and Special Mission Programs. "Both the UH-1Y and AH-1Z deliver superb combat effectiveness to the Marine warfighter. We continue to build in production cost efficiencies to ensure that the taxpayer is getting the most for every dollar spent."

The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the Marine Corps’ H-1 Upgrade Program. The program’s goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Z which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors.

A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2021.

The AH-1Z is expected to achieve initial operating capability and embark on its first deployment in 2011.

The AH-1Z and the UH-1Y, the Marine Corps’ combat utility helicopter, are 84 percent identical. The UH-1Y was approved for full rate production in 2008.

[sukhoi-30mki]

An AH-1Z "Z-4" flown by VX-31 during weapons testing at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Ca.

[Little Pig]

Two questions:

1) why are we still building this when we have the Apache?

2) How much of this airframe is still based on the original pre-Vietnam AH-1/UH-1 system?

[TLI]

Mmmmmmm...

Does it come with afterburners?

[Doe Eyes]

1) why are we still building this when we have the Apache?

Why would the Army and Marines use the same Attack Helicopters? That's would be as crazy as the Air Force and Navy using the same Fighter aircraft.

[sukhoi-30mki]

I think the Marines couldn’t get the funding for the Apache. Besides the AH-1W/Z offers almost everything the Apache does and has a lower price-tage.

It has only basic airframe commonality with its older cousins. It’s avionics, sensors and engines are new.

http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/en/aircraft/military/bellAH-1Z.cfm

The Brits and Netherlands use the Apache from their amphibious ships.

[Little Pig]

I’m guessing you’re being sarcastic/ironic?

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Marine Corps prefers the Cobra to the Apache. The Cobra has lower acquisition and operating costs. High commonality between the UH-1Y and AH-1Z, 84%, makes for fewer logistics problems and reduced costs.

[Little Pig]

Do we still fly the UH-1Y? I had no idea.

[DesScorp]

"Why would the Army and Marines use the same Attack Helicopters?"

Umm, you realize that until recently, they always have, right? They both used H-34's and UH-1's until the Army started getting Blackhawks in the 80's. They both also use M-16's and M1 tanks too.

[smokingfrog]

What is that nozzle-looking thing on the front?

[smokingfrog]

In the early 1980s, the U.S. Marine Corps sought a new navalized helicopter, but was denied funding to buy the AH-64 Apache by Congress in 1981. The Marines in turn pursued a more powerful version of the AH-1T.

[TexasRedeye]

What is that nozzle-looking thing on the front?

Air flow/speed sensor. This is a test airframe. It will be removed on production a/c.

[CodeToad]

Snorkle. It’s a Marine chopper, right?

[A.A. Cunningham]

Tha Yankee variant of the UH-1 Huey is an updated version that achieved IOC in August of 2008.

Yankees begin first operational journey

A UH-1Y "Venom" with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, aka Scarface, prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Makin Island Oct. 3. A Scarface detachment is supporting the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's special-purpose Marine air-ground task force. The 11th MEU is the first amphibious landing force to embark Makin Island, which set sail for San Francisco Oct. 1 to participate in the city's 2010 Fleet Week. There the 11th MEU plans to showcase to the public the Marine Corps' men and women, its aircraft and equipment, and its ability to conduct missions that span the overlapping spectrums of peace and combat, from disaster relief to war.(Cpl. Justis Beauregard)