Production of AH-1Z helicopters for the Czech Republic has started at the Bell Textron plant
Bell Textron has started assembling the first AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter for the Czech Republic. The helicopter is being assembled at a facility in Amarillo, Texas. This is reported by Defence24.
The Czech Republic has ordered four AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and eight UH-1Y Venom multipurpose helicopters. The first helicopter will be sent to the customer in 2023. The publication notes that American vehicles will replace the Mi-24V and Mi-35 helicopters. As part of the $629 million agreement, Bell Textron will also supply simulators and weapons to the Czech Republic.
In the design of the AH-1 and UH-1 helicopters, 85 percent of the same parts are used. Therefore, modernization work was carried out in parallel. The helicopters received General Electric T700-GE-401 engines and new avionics. UH-1Y can carry blocks of unguided Hydra 70 missiles and machine guns.
In February, Sikorsky announced the first flight of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in fully unmanned mode. The helicopter received the Sikorsky MATRIX system.
In January, the commander of the Central Military District (CVO), Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, announced the arrival of new helicopters. According to him, in 2022, the army aviation brigade of the Central Military District will receive a squadron of Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopters.
