U.S. Approves Sale of AH-64E Apache, AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters to Philippines

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale six AH-64E Apache and six AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to the Government of the Philippines.
The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy six (6) AH-1Z attack helicopters; fourteen (14) T-700 GE 401C engines (12 installed, 2 spares); seven (7) Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation (EGIs) w/Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (6 installed, 1 spare); six (6) AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles; and twenty six (26) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) all up rounds.
defpost

Czech Republic to replace their Mi-24 with Bell UH-1Y/AH-1Z or Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

The US Department of State has given its approval to potential deals that could equip the Czech Republic with Bell UH-1Y/AH-1Z or Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
Detailed by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 3 May, a possible Foreign Military Sales purchase by Prague could involve either an initial four AH-1Zs or 12 UH-60Ms.
Armaments proposed for the AH-1Z include the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile and a nose-mounted 20mm cannon, while the UH-60M would feature BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guided rockets and machine guns.
Prague had previously expressed an interest in acquiring up to 12 UH-1Ys. Bell completed production of the type for the US Marine Corps last year, with no export orders yet secured for the type.
flightglobal

US Clear AH-1Z Sale To Pakistan

US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment.
This proposed sale will provide Pakistan with a precision strike, enhanced survivability aircraft that it can operate at high-altitudes. By acquiring this capability, Pakistan will enhance its ability to conduct operations in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and other remote and mountainous areas in all-weather, day-and-night environments. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, General Electric, Boeing and Lockheed Martin in Bethesda. There are no known offset agreements proposed.
dsca

AH-1Z Propossed as Maritime Attack Platform for Australian Navy Assault Ships

Bell is pitching its AH-1Z Viper helicopter to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to be utilised as a maritime attack platform aboard its two landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships.
However there is no formal Australian requirement, Bell is briefing the ADF on the Viper's capabilities ahead of an expected decision on whether to upgrade its Airbus Helicopters Tigers to a maritime configuration.
The AH-1Z is already doing all of the missions that the ADF is doing [with the Tiger], and more. It can carry 16 Hellfire [air-to-surface missiles] plus two Sidewinder [air-to-air missiles], and has the cost-per-flight-hour figures that the ADF has been looking for.
While the Australian Army does currently field 22 Tiger helicopters, a decision is expected to be made under Phase 3 of the Project AIR 87 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) procurement programme on whether to upgrade these helicopters to be able to operate from the decks of the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) two Canberra-class LHDs (HMAS Canberra was recently commissioned, while the future HMAS Adelaide is currently under construction in Spain).
The AH-1Z has been built to be resistant to corrosion; its engines are the same as those fitted to the MH-60R maritime helicopter as already selected by the RAN; it has folding [main rotor] blades; there are heavy-duty tie-down points; and its systems are shielded so as to be 'ship-safe'." .
As well as being physically better-suited to the maritime domain, the AH-1Z has the benefit of being in operational service with the US Marine Corps (USMC). With the USMC now regularly rotating through Darwin, the ADF is going to be operating alongside the AH-1Z more and more, and so there are obvious advantages of interoperability and support to be had should Australia choose to also procure the helicopter.
The discussions with the ADF is still in a very informal stage.
janes

Nigeria looking for more attack aircraft

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received a proposal from a defence company for the sale of six Puma gunship helicopters, four Sukhoi Su-25KM ground attack jets, and two upgraded Su-25UB trainers.
According reports unidentified company had "reached an agreement with the NAF to substitute the initial order for Cobra AH-1V with alternative attack platforms".
The US State Department confirmed in November 2014 that it had blocked a deal to sell Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria because of concerns about its military's human rights record and ability to operate the aircraft. The Nigerian press reported that the attack helicopters would have been ex-Israeli Air Force Cobras.
The only Pumas upgraded into gunships were Romanian-built IAR 330s that were converted into the SOCAT armed version with a chin-mounted 20 mm gun and Rafael Spike guided missiles with the help of the Israeli company Elbit Systems between 2000 and 2005.
Elbit Systems was also involved in the Su-25KM 'Scorpion' upgrade programme along with Georgia's Tblisi Aircraft Manufacturing company.
janes

Malaysia to upgrade and arm S-61 "Nuri" fleet

Malaysia is to boost its ability to combat future militant incursions by arming its AgustaWestland AW109s and transferring upgraded Sikorsky S-61 “Nuri” utility helicopters to army aviation control.
Prompted by an incursion made by Sulu rebels in Sabah in 2013, Kuala Lumpur has already outfitted three of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s S-61s with 12.7mm door guns.
The army plans to arm the AW109 helicopters with 7.62mm gatling guns.
Malaysia had previously planned to remove its aged Nuri fleet from use by 2012. However, with the nation having ordered only 12 of a planned 28 Airbus Helicopters EC725s as replacements, this has forced the service to prolong the life of its Sikorskys.
If proven viable through a pilot project involving one aircraft, up to 26 S-61s will receive upgrades to their main and tail rotor blades and gearboxes, and be equipped with a digital datalink, self-protection equipment, armoured protection and a pintle-mounted machine gun at the cargo door.
Malaysia’s interest in acquiring a dedicated attack helicopter capability has failed to advance due to budget pressures. Its army has previously evaluated types including the Airbus Helicopters Tiger, Bell AH-1Z, Boeing AH-64 Apache and Denel Rooivalk.
flightglobal

Israeli phased out the AH-1 attack helicopter fleet due to budget cuts

Israel has phased out its AH-1 'Cobra' attack helicopters in favour of using drones.
Israel's last squadron of Cobras, was pulled from service late last year. The decision was previously kept under wraps but disclosed in an increasingly public feud between the Defence Ministry and Treasury over budget cuts.
Israel began flying Cobras after the 1973 Middle East war, when its forces were battered by Egyptian and Syrian armour and air defence units.
With Egypt now at peace with Israel, and Syria riven by a more than 3-year-old revolt, the main threat Israel faces from their territories, as with neighbouring Lebanon and Gaza, is sneak attacks by guerrilla rocket crews or riflemen.
Israel retains two squadrons of Apache helicopters. It also flies an undisclosed number of pilotless drones.
The Cobras were axed as part of budget cuts.
Israel had a fleet of approximately 33 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.
Locally made Israeli drones increasingly patrol combat zones such as the Gaza Strip. They can circle for long hours on propeller engines, beaming back video to mark ground targets or to guide troops.
reuters

US Marines to buy 12 AH-1Z and 12 UH-1Y

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Bell Helicopter a contract modification to purchase 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 12 UH-1Y utility helicopters on May 16.
According to the Pentagon, the modification was to “definitize” a previously awarded advanced acquisition contract.
The aircraft should be delivered by June 2017.
The U.S. Marine Corps hopes to eventually purchase a total of 189 AH-1Zs and 160 UH-1Ys—some of which are new, but many are rebuilt from older models. The Yankee and Zulu model aircraft have about 85 percent part commonality between the two airframes.
usni

Turkey Pushes T-129 Gunships for Pakistan, but US Could Scupper Deal

Turkey is aggressively lobbying to give T-129 attack helicopters to Pakistan to replace its aging AH-1F fleet and is prepared to agree to generous terms with cash-strapped Pakistan to do so.
However, the US could sink the deal and make a counteroffer of helicopter gunships to Pakistan that could be too good to refuse.
Pakistani media reports state a deal with Turkey could lead to local production of the T-129 at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), but speculation that preparations are already underway to build a new helicopter production facility there could not be confirmed.
Turkey made its latest push during Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Sept. 16-18 visit to Turkey for the Third High Level Cooperation Council meeting. Sharif was given a demonstration of the T-129’s capabilities and a potential deal was discussed.
Turkish officials confirmed talks have “matured to a certain extent,” and Turkey remains committed to any possible deal, not only for financial benefits but also potential strategic gains.
Azerbaijan is reportedly looking to buy 60 T-129 helicopters. Jordan’s King Abdullah, who was in Turkey in March, visited Turkish Aerospace Industries, co-maker of the T-129, and examined both the helicopter gunship and Turkey’s first locally-developed drone, the Anka.
Despite Turkey’s hopes, however, the US might try to tempt Pakistan with a deal for the AH-1Z Viper helicopter.
No one at the defense section in the US Embassy would comment on the matter, but details were confirmed by sources in Pakistan familiar with the deal.
Pakistan has been awarded US $300 million in foreign military financing for FY2013-2014, which could be used to procure the Viper attack helicopters, made by Bell.
defensenews

PMA-276 and defense industry partner welcome production of 100th H-1 Helicopter

Marking a key development for U.S. Marine Corps aviation, Bell Helicopter the manufacturer of the service’s H-1 Helicopter, delivered the 100th UH-1Y model to the U.S. government Jan. 16.

The aircraft was the 100th of 349 H-1 helicopters expected by the Marine Corps under the current program of record government contract.

The USMC Light/Attack Helicopters program (PMA-276) comprises both the UH-1Y utility and the AH-1Z attack aircraft.
navair.navy

Iraq, Bahrain interested in AH-1Z and UH-1Y

Industry sources say Iraq is interested to buy 24 AH-1Z helicopters for the Iraqi Army and 6-8 UH-1Y for its Navy. Bahrain is also looking at purchasing 14 AH-1Z attack helicopters.

reuters

Korea Decision on Attack Helicopters Nearing

he U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Sept. 25 two potential attack helicopter sales to South Korea.

The first, worth $2.6 billion, is for 36 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters.

Prime contractors will be Bell-Textron Corporation and General Electric.

The second, worth $3.6 billion, is for 36 AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopters. Prime contractors will be Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Electric.

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USA issues FMS documents for South Korean AH-1Z, AH-64D bids

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal related to South Korea's AHX competition for 36 attack helicopters.

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Aprobada producción a gran escala del AH-1Z/ AH-1Z approved for full rate production

El U.S. Marine Corps’ ha aprobado la producción a gran escala del helicóptero AH-1Z Cobra .
El AH-1Z sustituirá a los AH-1W, teniendo mejores prestaciones.
Se re-fabricarán 189 unidades, con entregas finales en 2021.
La capacidad inicial operativa se declarará en 2011.
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The U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra was approved for full rate production Nov. 28.
After completing operational testing this summer, the AH-1Z was determined to be operationally effective and suitable, a finding that is a prerequisite to the full rate production decision.
The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the Marine Corps’ H-1 Upgrade Program. The program’s goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Z which provide significantly greater performance.
A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
The AH-1Z is expected to achieve initial operating capability and embark on its first deployment in 2011.
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Terminan pruebas de nuevo cockpit del AH-1Z/ U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Helicopter Upgrade Completes Evaluation With Integrated Cockpit

Northrop Grumman ha completado las pruebas del nuevo cockpit de los helicópteros AH-1Z del U.S Marine Corps. Las pruebas han durado tres meses.
El nuevo sistema ofrece mejores datos de misión, reduciendo la carga de trabajo de la tripulación y mejora la percepción de la misión.
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Northrop Grumman was key elements in the successful completion of Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra, its newest attack helicopter system.
OPEVAL, a three-month process of testing the AH-1Z Cobra by operating the helicopters under combat deployment conditions, was conducted in multiple environments emulating real-world scenarios. The successful completion of OPEVAL designates the aircraft suitable for use and marks the final hurdle before full-rate production approval.
The Northrop Grumman IAS onboard the AH-1Z helicopters makes critical mission data available to the pilot and co-pilot on four displays, reducing workload and increasing aircrew situational awareness
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