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2021-10-01

Bell Completes 100th Delivery of AH-1Z to U.S. Marines

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, successfully completed its 100th consecutive on-time delivery of the AH-1Z aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps, which began nearly four years ago.

The company accomplished this milestone through coordination with its manufacturing and assembly facilities, UAW 218, numerous suppliers, and government partners. The H-1 series consists of the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom, which provide light attack and utility helicopter support to the Marines while maintaining a small logistical footprint through the 85 per cent commonality between the airframes. The aircraft combine speed, durability, and precise targeting to protect warfighters in all operating conditions.

The Bell AH-1Z is designed to operate and destroy targets in the most extreme environments. It is reportedly the only attack helicopter in the world with fully integrated air-to-air missile capability. Also, its high-tech sensors enable pilots to identify, track and assign targets, even at maximum weapons range.

“Performance like this takes a lot of work, communication, and trust to ensure alignment between numerous partners, all working toward the same objective. I could not be prouder of our Bell employees,” said Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 vice president and programme director. “Our frontline workers, engineers, and supply chain professionals all help support the Marines. Their work in designing, manufacturing, and assembling critical components while ensuring quality parts reach the production line on time help the Marines ensure our nation’s security.”

Bell and its Team Viper/Venom partners collaborate with the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter programme (PMA-276) to provide integrated solutions and increase combat lethality and readiness. In addition to delivering production aircraft on time, Bell directly supports scheduled maintenance. The company is also working on new capability upgrades to equip the Marines with advanced technology available.

“This is a feat only possible through the determination of our production team and the programme’s strong relationship with our industry partners and suppliers,” added Col Vasilios Pappas, PMA-276 programme manager.

Bell is currently working toward the U.S. Marine Corps programme of record (POR) and anticipates production of Marine Corps H-1 through 2022. The U.S. Marine Corps H-1 production contract is for 349 aircraft, consisting of 160 UH-1Y and 189 AH-1Z. Furthermore, Bell will continue manufacturing aircraft for foreign military customers, including contracts for Bahrain AH-1Zs and a mixed Czech Republic fleet of both AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys.

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