Czech purchase Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y

[chopper2004]

Earlier this year , the US State Department approved possible sale of AH-1Z and Uh-1Y (or Uh-60M)

https://dsca.mil/print/1203

And now today

Czech will purchase both AH-1Z and UH-1Y.

Czech Republic to buy Bell AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters

Cheers

[SASless]

Both are capable machines....with the plus of so many common parts.

[tottigol]

Originally Posted by SASless

Both are capable machines....with the plus of so many common parts.

SAS,I guess Bell needed some cash flow to continue testing the 525.

[Blackhawk9]

They were smart and didn't buy Eurotrash, and go thru all the pain other operators have had with Tiger and NH-90.

[etudiant]

Originally Posted by chopper2004

Earlier this year , the US State Department approved possible sale of AH-1Z and Uh-1Y (or Uh-60M)

https://dsca.mil/print/1203

And now today

Czech will purchase both AH-1Z and UH-1Y.

Czech Republic to buy Bell AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters

Cheers

Are these not USMC variants, fitted for salt water exposure?

[chopper2004]

https://defence-blog.com/news/bell-t...roduction.html

Bell receives 272m for production of the 4 x AH-1Z and 8 x UH-1Y








cheers

[Phoinix]

Strong links between Bell and Czech republic. The whole country is practically bell flown.

What is the reliability of this 60 year old design anyway? Just over a hundred built (Y+Z) the support for the next 20 years won't be an issue?

VNE is also interesting acc. to wiki... 200 kt plus... Real or ... ?

[FlightDetent]

The original specification was to replace Mi-24s. Bell stood against UH-60M and the offer for the mixed option came unexpectedly. The rest happened behind closed doors no matter the figures released to the public.

Many believe that going forward with a US supplied solution is a very important diplomatic and political gesture. And many are losing sleep for exactly the same reasons.

Shor recap from the MoD website PR team

Once again on Venoms and Vipers, in response to the most frequently asked questions over social media. To summarize and partly explain some of the previous arguments.

You asked us a lot why exactly 12 pieces, why exactly 8 + 4 and if four combat Vipers are not too few. We will try to explain in detail and show what helicopters have in common and how they differ.

1) The army now operates a total of 10 Mi-24 machines. These will be replaced by the H-1 system (Venom and Viper). Twelve pieces are currently a sufficient number. Our concept envisages the possibility of increasing the number of units in the future, especially for Vipers.

2) Why do we call it a system? Because Venoms and Vipers function as a whole, they support and complement each other. Rather than purchasing two different systems we are buying one. Reiterating here there is 85% identical parts to simplify maintenance, reduce cost of operation and enable mixed fleet training for pilots.

3) The H-1 system was developed for a range of tasks (the versatility we required).

4) Venoms and Vipers are armed and perform the tasks of fire support forground units.

5) The H-1 system also fullfills personnel transport and SAR missions.

6) It is the first step towards the introduction of NATO-compatible combat helicopters.

Shrnutí informa?ní kampan?: Argumenty Armády ?R k po?ízení nových vrtulník? | Ministerstvo obrany

[etudiant]

Originally Posted by etudiant

Are these not USMC variants, fitted for salt water exposure?

They are, not a serious handicap though, although probably a bit more expensive and perhaps a bit heavier.

[Copter Appreciator00]

Phoinix - the AH1Z and UH1Y are not "60-year old designs". They are NEw machines with inner systems and structure that make them more capable than the AH-1W and UH-1N they have recently replaced and as capable as any new-build AH-64E (which you can argue is a 40 year old design).

[Otterotor]

Phoinix, the AH-1Z flew at 223 KTAS (recorded) and thus is qualified to have a 200 KIAS Vne and the reliablity is as good or better than any other gunship with 85% of rotor components having a 10,000 hr. retirement life or better. Otterotor.

[chopper2004]

Bell starts manufacturing Uh-1Y airframe

Construction starting

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/20...ional-operator

[chopper2004]

Ah-1Z assembly begins

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/21...lGcKzpcD9BVf_w




cheers

[SplineDrive]

https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...o-acquisition/

Could be another win for the AH-1Z in Eastern Europe.

[chopper2004]

Poland Attack Helicopter competition

Battle begins between Bell and Boeing for Polish attack helicopter requirement.

Cheers

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/d...polands-attac/

[chopper2004]

First off the production line

Twitter

https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/Cze...t-Delivery/Tue





cheers

[SASless]

A well proven design with an excellent safety record in operations with the USMC.

[chopper2004]

First two delivered

First pair delivered

Twitter

cheers

[Lonewolf_50]

Good looking helicopter.

[Vzlet]

After years of near-daily encounters along the West German/Czechoslovak border in the 1980s, it's ironic that AH-1s are finally chasing Mi-24s out of Czech skies!