Bell has announced the arrival of an AH-1Z Viper helicopter to its facilities for an upgrade involving structural and power generation enhancements.
The helicopter will be upgraded in the Bell Amarillo Assembly Center. The upgrade programme, named Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU), aims to prepare AH-1Z attack helicopters and UH-1Y utility helicopters for future weapons and self-protection systems.
Before arriving at the Bell Amarillo Assembly Center, the AH-1Z and UH-1Y completed datalink capabilities testing with the Marine Corps modifications at Camp Pendleton and testing with VMX-1 in Yuma. Bell plans to continue supporting the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom through the 2040s in alignment with the Marine Corps Aviation Plan.
AH-1Z Viper, the latest variant of AH-1 series attack helicopters, forms the backbone of the USMC’s close air support capabilities. On the other hand, UH-1Y Venom is the service’s main utility helicopter. Despite the long history of the H-1 line of helicopters in the USMC service, the new variants with improved capabilities and the difficulty of developing new marine helicopters have kept them for decades.
USMC Upgrades H-1 Helicopters for Future Equipment
