features hydraulically boosted actuators.
Additionally, a four-axis automatic flight
control system (AFCS), which includes a
stability control augmentation system (SCAS),
provides heading, attitude, speed, altitude,
cruise and hover hold and wave off modes.
An integrated avionic system (IAS),
developed by Northrop Grumman,
provided night-vision goggles (NVG),
compatible cockpit displays and controls,
communications, navigation, external stores,
weapons management and central mission
computing subsystem.
Although different in layout from the UH-1Y,
the AH-1Z cockpits share the same 8x6in
(203x152mm) LCD multifunction displays
(MFD), 4.2x4.2in (107x107mm) LCD dual
function displays (DFD) and data entry
keyboards. Nearly identical, the front and rear
crew stations permit pilot or co-pilot functions
to be performed from either seat.
Besides the layout, the primary difference
between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y cockpits
involved the installation of a wing stores
management and control, and the AN/AN/
AAQ-30 Target Sighting System (TSS).
An advanced version of the night targeting
system was planned for the AH-1Z. However,
in July 1998, it was decided to equip the
helicopter with the TSS and Bell awarded
Lockheed Martin a $7.8m development
contract.The TSS incorporates a low-light colour
TV, a third-generation FLIR and a laser
designator/rangefinder and a laser spot
tracker (LST). It provides a day/night/
adverse weather target acquisition and
designation capability and features air-to-air
and air-to-ground modes. Additionally, it can
automatically track three active targets via
three different modes.Fully integrated into the aircraft’s fire
control, it provides range and optical line-
of-sight data for all weapons, including the
cannon. The EO/IR sensor is based on the
L3 Technologies/Wescam MX-20 IR/EO turret.
The TSS line-of-sight can be slewed
manually or synced to the Thales Avionics
TopOwl helmet-mounted sight/display
(HMS/D) system.
In May 2002, Bell revealed plans to
integrate the TopOwl with the UH-1Y and
AH-1Z sensors and weapons. The TopOwl’s
40° field-of-view visor displays navigation and
weapon symbology and EO/IR imagery and
allows the Viper and Venom pilots to acquire
and designate targets and aim weapons.
Switches on the hands-on cyclic and stick
(HOCAS) allow the crew to make automatic
flight control adjustments, select and fire
weapons, jettison external stores, and control
radios and electronic countermeasures and
boresight the HMS/D.
The Viper’s aircraft survivability equipment
(ASE) includes the AN/APR-39B(V)2 radar
warning set; AN/AAR-47(V)2 missile warning
system and the AN/ALE-47 countermeasures
dispenser enabling chaff/flares to be
dispensed manually or automatically,
providing 360° coverage.24 Aviation News incorporating Jets February 2018The ninth production AH-1Z and the 11th production UH-1Y conduct a training mission near
Camp Pendleton, California, in February 2009. Both the Zulu and Yankee were assigned to
Marine light attack training squadron HMLAT-303. Known as Atlas, the unit is tasked as the
fleet replacement squadron for both H-1 variants. Greg L Davis, Focal Plane ImageryAbove left: Ordnance personnel assigned to
Marine aviation weapons and tactics squadron
MAWTS-1 load 2.75in (70mm) rockets into
a 19-round LAU-69 launcher on an AH-1Z
Viper during forward arming refuelling point
operations at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial
Gunnery Range, California, in April 2017.
Vipers from HMLA-269 were deployed from
Camp Pendleton, California, in support of the
semi-annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor
Course 2-17. USMC/Cpl Harley Robinson
Left: An Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling)
3rd Class guides an HMLA-367 AH-1Z Viper
off the flight deck of the San Antonio-class
amphibious transport dock ship USS New
Orleans (LPD 18). The unit was attached
to HMM-268 as part of the 11th Marine
Expeditionary Unit during the Viper’s maiden
deployment. US Navy/MC3 Dominique Pineiro22-26_ah1zDC.mfDC.mf.indd 24 05/01/2018 14:01