SIX new American twin-engine attack helicopters will be arriving in Bahrain this year to join the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) fleet.The AH-1Z Vipers are being prepared for shipment with the Defence Contract Management Agency, an agency of the US federal government, poising to transport them to the kingdom.

Bell Textron, an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, said it had delivered the final production of Bahrain’s state-of-the-art fighting machines to the US Naval Air Systems Command last December.The first Bahrain AH-1Zs made its in-country debut during the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) last November.As reported earlier in the GDN, RBAF Commander Air Vice Marshal Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa revealed details of the $912 million deal during the 2018 BIAS.“Congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on obtaining the latest generation of the AH-1Zs,” said Bell vice-president and H-1 programme director Mike Deslatte.

“As a leader in the region, Bahrain’s defensive capabilities will be further bolstered by the advanced technologies of the Viper.”Bell continues to work with Bahrain authorities on post-shipping inspections and re-assembly to guarantee configuration.In addition to manufacturing and delivering the new Vipers, Bell will support the life cycle of the aircraft to ensure reliability, survivability and lethality on the modern battlefield, stated the company.“Capabilities are only part of the equation when it comes to modernising an aircraft fleet,” added Mr Deslatte.

“By ensuring the aircraft can operate with minimal logistics support, the Viper enables leaders to react with greater speed and agility to rapidly evolving operations.”The H-1 upgrade programme is the US Marine Corps’ programme to develop the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom military helicopters to replace its ageing fleets of AH-1W SuperCobras and UH-1N Twin Hueys.The contract was awarded in 1996 to Bell Helicopter, the original manufacturer of both aircraft, to design the new modernised attack airframes and, at the same time, reduce operating costs.

Bell designed the two-seater AH-1Z Viper specifically to meet the stringent operational requirements of the US Marine Corps.The aircraft has a fully integrated glass cockpit and the ability to carry a wide variety of munitions.The composite rotor system further enhances the Viper’s ability to provide close air support to ground forces in any environment, while the fully integrated Target Sight System enhances pilots’ capabilities to clearly identify, acquire, track and engage targets beyond maximum weapon range.

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