The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter. It is one of the latest members of the prolific Bell Huey family. It is often called "Zulu Cobra", based on the military phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter.
Bell AH-1Z Viper
An AH-1Z at an air show displaying four-blade rotors and longer stub wings
AH-1Z pilots aboard USS Makin Island wearing helmet mounted displays (displays not shown)
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z lands on USS Makin Island in 2010.
The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engined attack helicopter that was developed on behalf of, and primarily operated by, the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The twin Cobra family, itself part of the larger Huey family, includes the AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra.
Bell AH-1 SuperCobra
AH-1J SeaCobra flying off Hawaii, circa 1971
An AH-1T Sea Cobra launching from the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, July 1985.
On the right a AH-1W showing its twin exhaust, compared to the single on the AH-1F (left)