AH-1Z

This page is about the American attack helicopter AH-1Z. For other variants, see AH-1 (Family).

AH-1Z

AH-1Z

USA

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.3	12.0	10.0

Class:

Attack helicopter

Research:400 000

Purchase:1 020 000

Show in game

Description

The Bell AH-1Z Viper was a modification of the AH-1W Super Cobra. The main difference from its predecessor was the installation of four-bladed composite main and tail rotors, as well as modernised engines and improved electronic equipment. The start of full-scale serial production of the AH-1Z was approved at the end of November 2010, and the United States Marine Corps placed an order for 189 Vipers, of which 131 would be upgraded from AH-1W Super Cobras. Bell delivered the final AH-1Z in November 2022.

Introduced in Update 1.81 "The Valkyries", the most advanced modification of the Cobra significantly differs from other helicopters of this series: two engines and four-bladed main rotors increase the speed and responsiveness of the helicopter, and it is able to equip an assortment of powerful underwing armaments, including Hellfire missiles, AIM-9M air-to-air missiles, as well as modified Hydra-70 rockets with laser guidance (APKWS II).

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 1 000 m287 km/h

Max altitude6 000 m

Engine2 х General Electric T700-GE-401C

Take-off weight8 t

The AH-1Z is a highly agile attack helicopter, with speeds up to 306 km/h in arcade and 287 km/h in realistic & simulator modes. With a maximum height that exceeds the capability of most other attack helicopters in this game, it can go up to 6,000 m compared to the Ka-52 (5,400 m), the AH-64D (5,400 m), and the EC-665 Tiger HAD (4,300 m).

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 1,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)
	AB	RB
Stock	267	254	6000
Upgraded	306	287

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear420 km/h

• 12 mm steel - engine
• 20 mm composite boron-carbide - pilot/gunner seats
• 12 mm steel - pilot seat

When fighting the AH-1Z, it is always a good bet to get the "High Ground" or altitude advantage of this vehicle. Try to strafe it and get around to its blinds spot, as it can't use the tail rotor effectively when moving, and will yaw and flip when making a strong attempt to turn-on-target. Always aim for the cockpit, as one the gunner is knocked out the turret becomes unusable. When coming up against a Zulu with gun pods or secondary weapons (especially the lethal AIM-9L), know that the pilot can still fire these even if the gunner is knocked out. However, it is unlikely that a Zulu will take a gun pod over a full missile rack.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB8 489 → 13 896

RB4 063 → 6 651

SB4 993 → 8 173

Total cost of modifications305 000

451 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training290 000

Experts1 020 000

Aces2 800

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 240 / 420 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 Replacing helicopter blades Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 370 Engine Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400	Flak jacket Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 Helicopter frame Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 370 EFS Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 Cover Research: 25 000 Cost: 37 000 670	t_160_belt_pack Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 MAW Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 t_160_new_gun Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 370 AGM-114 Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 370 APKWS II Research: 14 000 Cost: 21 000 370 Gun pod M18A1 Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 AIM-9L Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 NVD Research: 15 000 Cost: 22 000 400 M163_Minigun_new_gun Research: 25 000 Cost: 37 000 670 AGM-114 2 Research: 25 000 Cost: 37 000 670 AIM-9M Research: 25 000 Cost: 37 000 670

Armaments

Night vision devices

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

AH-1Z displaying one of many armament options. AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles x 2, 70mm Hydra-70 M247 rocket x 38, 7.62 mm M134 Minigun machine gun x 2

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The AH-1Z is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm M197 cannon (750 rpg)
• 120 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The AH-1Z can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6
7.62 mm M134 Minigun machine guns (1,500 rpg)			1	1
Hydra-70 M247 rockets		19	19	19	19
AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles		2, 4	2, 4	2, 4	2, 4
AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles	1					1
AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles	1					1
APKWS II (M151) missiles		7	7	7	7
APKWS II (M282) missiles		7	7	7	7

Default weapon presets
Without load 2 x AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles 2 x AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles 76 x Hydra-70 M247 rockets 28 x APKWS II (M151) missiles 28 x APKWS II (M282) missiles 4 x AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles 8 x AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles 16 x AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles 2 x 7.62 mm M134 Minigun machine guns (1,500 rpg = 3,000 total)

Usage in battles

AH-1Z performs evasive action while deploying flare series.

Using the AH-1Z Viper after the AH-1F requires some learning time, as the playstyle between the two has unique differences in ammunition, views, and overall gameplay.

The AH-1Z is an attack helicopter that excels in its role. In fact, it is one of the best attack helicopters in the game, with speeds up to 411 km/h (255 mph). The AH-1Z offers a large array of ordnance selections, from miniguns and rockets to Hellfire missiles. Additionally, the AH-1Z can carry a combination of missiles, rockets, or miniguns together. To optimize your loadout, choose a role to specialize in, whether it be air protection or ground attack, though this attack helicopter can do it all.

To effectively use the AH-1Z Viper, make sure to adjust your tactics to the map. For example, on maps with rocks and hilly terrain, stay low and use cover to get into a position where you can dominate the battlefield. On open and flat maps, climb to a high altitude and assess the situation, ensuring to scan the map and not get fixated on a single location.

The AH-1Z has three main playstyles focused on dominating in the following roles: medium and close range, long range, and air protection/support.

However, the AH-1Z does have one drawback. Due to the increased size and changes to the center of gravity in high-pitch and tight turns, it is possible to lose control. It is advisable to counteract this by keeping the nose of the helicopter level or reducing the turn radius. If required to make a tight turn, such as when evading surface-to-air missiles, ensure there is enough room to recover the helicopter, ideally at least 300 m, and increase the pitch of the blades to 100% to adjust for yawing.

Close/medium range

The AH-1Z offers a combination of wing-mounted ordnance and ordnance packages which are available from Rocket pods, Machine guns, Hellfire missiles.

In an non-upgraded configuration it can carry up to 76 x Hydra-70 rockets or two pods with machine guns, but taking them to the battle will reduce the amount of Hydras to 38. Using these weapons will force you to get close to the ground units and make the helicopter vulnerable to turret-mounted anti-air weapons or SPAAGs, so it is recommended to stay at very low altitude and use the high level speed to evade fire.

Hydra rockets are not as reliable as long range AGMs, their accuracy is not great and in most cases even if the player manages to get close to the battlefield it will be able to destroy only a few units or disable their weapons and other components.

Long range - Hellfire missiles

To utilise the long-range performance of the AH-1Z, hover outside of the combat zone. It is important that you check and make sure that there are no threats in the vicinity which could shoot you down. Once the combat zone has been declared safe from vehicles which could destroy you. Increase altitude, until you have a good visual on the objectives. Hover the helicopter, change the view to the gun camera and locate a target ground vehicle and fire! The Hellfire missiles offer up to 1,100 mm of penetration with a speed of 475 m/s.

Firing the Hellfire missiles, you will notice that you cannot see them. This is normal, you need to keep the laser designator on the target. On the HUD, left-hand side, you will see a countdown, it takes 10 seconds for the missile to hit the target. When the Hellfire gets close to the target you will see the rocket, this where you can adjust the missile trajectory.

It is very important that after a few Hellfire missile launches that, you disengage the hover and relocate to another part of the battle zone. Performing this action will substantially reduce the chances of being shot down by enemy vehicles.

One of the drawbacks of the Hellfire missiles is, at very close range they cannot engage a target, due to how the Hellfires are launched from the wing racks. The Hellfire missile drops from the wing rack then engages the rocket motor and immediately ascend in height, making it impossible to track from launch.

The Hellfire missiles require time to adapt to, however once learnt they become one of the most potent missiles in the game.

Self-Defense Armament

Best role armament selection: AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles and machine guns

An AH-1Z Viper offers a unique set of capabilities compared to any other helicopter on the battlefield. It can be equipped with improved close-range Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The Sidewinder missiles provide the capability to shoot down up to two enemy aircraft. They can shoot down other rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters) or fixed-wing aircraft (airplanes) provided an adequate missile-lock. The missiles can also be equipped with the additional payloads, such as Hellfires, machine gun pods and rocket pod configurations, providing a versatile offensive and defensive solution.

The AH-1Z can outmanoeuvre and outperform many of its rivals in air-to-air combat. The AH-1Z has a triple rotary M197 cannon with 750 rounds. Combined with a twin 7.62 mm M134 minigun, which also has 1,500 rounds per gun. That's a total of 3,750 rounds of ammunition. Not forgetting the wing-mounted AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles. This combination of impressive weapon systems can support extended air-to-air capabilities on the battle space.

To attack other helicopters with the Sidewinders, you will need a rear aspect shot – get a lock and fire one of the Sidewinder missiles! Bang the enemy aircraft explodes.

To attack using the cannon and miniguns, line up with the foe, come in fast and slow down – align your angle of attack with the side of the enemy, this will yield the best chance of success since the enemy unit has exposed the largest elements of the airframe to your firepower. Aim for the critical components such as cockpit, engine, fuel tanks and rear rotor elements.

Pros and cons

AH-1Z performing an attack run with the 20 mm chin-mounted cannon

Pros:

• Can carry up to 16 Hellfire AGMs
• Good AIM-9L and 9M air-to-air missiles for self-defense
• Excellent ground attack capabilities
• Thin front-aspect profile

Cons:

• Weak airframe takes heavy damage from even roof-mounted MGs of enemy tanks
• Poor flight performance with full payload
• Lacks passive infrared countermeasures (IRCM)

History

In 1996, the USMC launched the H-1 program in cooperation with the Bell company. The H-1 program was a plan to upgrade and modernize the Navy's existing fleets of AH-1 and UH-1 helicopters, in order to extend their service life and lower future operating costs. This was achieved by developing a new version of each helicopter model respectively. The new AH-1Z Viper, also known as "ZuluCobra", received upgraded avionics, fire control systems, engines and an improved four-blade rotor system, among other improvements. Furthermore, both the new Viper and UH-1Y were designed in a way to use mostly identical parts, achieving the desired reduction in operating costs and ease of maintenance as a result. The AH-1Z Viper conducted its maiden flight in December 2000, with three prototypes being built for testing in 2002. Small-scale production began in 2003 before the Viper was approved for full-scale production in November 2010. The USMC has ordered for 189 Vipers to be delivered to the fleet by 2021, with only a few dozen machines being in service today.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the AH-1Z from live.warthunder.com.

Images

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Videos

The Forgotten Viper - AH-1Z - JustinPlaysYT

"AH-1Z Viper - "American Thoroughbred" [Helicopters] - BaconGaming

Best after-party picks discusses the AH-1Z at 5:35 - War Thunder Official Channel

The Shooting Range #143 - Metal Beasts section at 06:30 discusses the AH-1Z.

AH-1Z vs Mi-35M - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Related development

• Bell AH-1 SuperCobra

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Agusta A129 Mangusta

External links

• [Devblog] AH-1Z Viper - A Lasting Legacy
• [Wikipedia] Bell AH-1Z Viper

USA helicopters
Attack
Black Hawk	MH-60L DAP
Choctaw	H-34
Cobra	AH-1F · AH-1G · AH-1Z
SuperCobra	AH-1W
Kiowa	OH-58D
Little Bird	AH-6M
Apache	YAH-64 · AH-64A · ▃AH-64A Peten · AH-64A (GR) · AH-64D
Utility
Huey	UH-1B · UH-1C · UH-1C XM-30