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Bell AH-1Z Viper
Photo: Cpl. Jonathan L. Gonzalez · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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BellAH-1ZViper

Attack Helicopters · United States · 2000
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BellAH-1ZViper

⚙ Bell AH-1 SuperCobra variant
Bell AH-1Z Viper
Bell AH-1Z Viper Photo: Cpl. Jonathan L. Gonzalez · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
85
Anti-Armour Capability
80
Survivability
88
Sensors & Targeting
82
Agility
87
Range & Endurance
78
Night Capability
85
Reliability
80
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin United States
ManufacturerBell Textron
CategoryAttack Helicopters
EraPost-Cold War
In service2000
Operators6 countries
Quantity195
Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
83
Attack Helicopters MASS Rating
3/11
Post-Cold War
6/45
All-Time
Attack Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Firepower
85
Anti-Armour Capability
80
Survivability
88
Sensors & Targeting
82
Agility
87
Range & Endurance
78
Night Capability
85
Reliability
80
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the attack helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell AH-1Z Viper
Prime contractor
Production
2000–
Quantity
195
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ATTACK HELICOPTERS · POST-COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
72
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
83
attack helicopters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the attack helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight2000
  • Service Entry Year2010
  • Crew2
  • Passengers0
  • Primary RoleAttack helicopter
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric T700-GE-401C
  • Number of Engines2
  • Engine Power (each)1,342 kW
  • Transmission Rating1,800 kW
  • Rotor Configurationfour-blade, bearingless, composite
  • Main Rotor Diameter12 m
  • Main Rotor Blades4
  • Anti-Torque Typefour-blade tail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed411 km/h
  • Cruise Speed241 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)411 km/h
  • Service Ceiling6,096 m
  • Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,720 m
  • Hover Ceiling (OGE)3,050 m
  • Range685 km
  • Ferry Range2,610 km
  • Rate of Climb14.173 m/s
  • Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Fuselage Length17.678 m
  • Height4.4 m
  • Rotor Disc Area113.1
  • Empty Weight5,370 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight8,390 kg
  • Useful Load3,020 kg
  • Cabin Volume1.5
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
▲Production2MOD.2
  • Total Built195
  • Variants1
◎Service History2MOD.2
  • Production Start2000
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 2000Production started
  2. 2010Entered service
26
years in service
195
units produced
6
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE14terms
Anti-Tank Guided Missile: a missile designed to destroy tanks.
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
Chaff/Flare: Countermeasures deployed by attack helicopters to disrupt radar- or heat-seeking missiles by creating false targets or decoys.
Armored protective panels installed in the cockpit area of an attack helicopter to shield the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel.
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
DIRCM/IRCM systems on attack helicopters that detect and disrupt infrared-guided missiles using directed energy or counter-radiation signals.
Combined forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and electro-optical (EO) sensor turret for target acquisition and tracking, typically mounted on aircraft or ground vehicles.
A radar system that tracks targets and guides weapons to intercept them, used for weapon aiming and missile guidance in combat aircraft and ships.
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit featuring electronic instrument displays, typically LCD or CRT screens, replacing traditional analog gauges.
A helmet-mounted system that projects flight, targeting, and sensor data directly into a pilot's field of view.
A sight mounted on a helicopter's mast for targeting.
Electronic receiver system that detects and identifies radar signals, alerting aircraft to potential threats for defensive countermeasures.
Aerodynamic containers mounted on aircraft, typically helicopters or fighter jets, that hold and launch unguided rockets in rapid succession.
Fuel tanks equipped with a material that automatically seals punctures from small arms fire or shrapnel to prevent leakage and reduce fire risk.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Attack Helicopters entry →