AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom

At this year's MSPO Kielce, for the first time, a duet of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters could be seen at close range. The past of these machines dates back to the Vietnam War. However, the latest versions outside the general aerodynamic strategy have small to do with protoplasts. These are modern helicopters, any of the best in their classes. To facilitate logistics they share 85% of the structure. They were commissioned by the US Marine Corps. 1 of the most crucial requirements was the ability to operate for a long time in field conditions with minimal maintenance.

AH-1Z Viper

Initially, it was planned to introduce the AH-64 US Marine Corps . However, it turned out that handling AH-1 is much simpler and cheaper. This is peculiarly crucial for the Marines, which stationed a long time distant from their bases. Viper first went up in the air in 2005. The constructors provided the device with a advanced endurance on the battlefield by mounting a strong armor. The starting mass is 8,390 kg and the scope is estimated to be 685 km (according to another sources of 575 km). Bell declares that it is possible to mount an AN/APG-78 Longbow fire steering radar. The main weapons are anti-tank rockets guided by AGM-114K Hellfire, non-directed Hydra missiles, and air-to-air AIM-9 missiles can be installed at the wings ends. The pilots in the cab have liquid crystal displays and chock displays.

UH-1Y Venom

This is the primary U.S. Marine Corps transport helicopter. He entered operations in 2009. 160 copies were produced. The crew has a digital cockpit with flat multi-function displays at their disposal. Weight increased by 50% compared to the erstwhile one. He takes 4 crew members and 8 passengers. It can carry weapons of a weight of 990 kg (unguided Hydra missiles and APKWS, 2 × Browning M2 or M134 Minigun device guns).

Photo: Tomasz Hens