After more than a decade of development, the AH-1Z Zulu “the latest evolution of the Cobra ” will finally go to sea with a MarineExpeditionary Unit.
The AH-1Z Viper, more commonly called the “Zulu,” offers greater lethality than its predecessor, the AH-1W “Whiskey.” The Zulu will soon be deploying with the 11th Marine Corps MEU. Skip Robinson Photo
The long-awaited Bell AH-1Z Zulu ” the latest and greatestin a long line of AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter models ” will soon undergo itsfirst operational deployment with the 11th Marine Corps Marine ExpeditionaryUnit (MEU) from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
A short description of an MEU is in order. An MEU is a groupof three U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships led by an LHD (Landing HelicopterDock) assault carrier. In the case of the 11th MEU, the ships are part ofAmphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 Ready Group consisting of USS Makin Island (LHD),USS New Orleans (LPD, or Landing Platform Dock) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD, orDock Landing Ship). This group and its support ships cruise the worlds oceansand are capable of being available at a moments notice for military orhumanitarian operations.
The 11th MEU has Navy and Marine Corps command andlogistical staff plus 2,200 Marine combat troops and their heavy and lightcombat equipment on board the ships. The MEU also carries an aviation combatelement (ACE). The 11th MEU ACE is assigned to Marine Medium HelicopterSquadron (HMM) 268 (REIN) and is a combination of 12 CH-46E and four CH-53Etransport helicopters; three UH-1Y utility helicopters; and six AV-8B verticallanding jet fighters. (The USS Makin Island also carries three Navy MH-60Sutility/search and rescue helicopters, which are used for Navy-specificmissions including logistics and search and rescue.) The rotary-wing attackcomponent of the ACE are four AH-1Z Vipers, more commonly called Zulus.
The Zulu offers a greater lethality than its predecessor,the AH-1W Whiskey, as it carries twice the ordnance faster, further and morequietly than the still very capable AH-1W. New-build AH-1Zs feature airframesrated for 10,000 flight hours, new four-bladed rotor systems with semi-automaticblade fold capability, new composite rotor blades, upgraded main transmissions,four-bladed tail rotor systems, strengthened landing gear, and larger wingpylons with additional weapons stations.
The Zulus new-generation, fully integrated glass cockpit/avionicssuite is designed to reduce workload and improve crew situational awareness andsafety. A new nose-mounted turreted weapons control and targeting system ” theelectro-optical/infrared Target Sight System (TSS) from Lockheed Martin ” hasintegrated state-of-the-art sensors, providing Cobra pilots with enhancedcapabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. The system providessuperb imagery through a stabilized sensor suite including a third-generationforward-looking infrared camera, color video display and a laser targetdesignator and rangefinder. With TSS, Cobra pilots can now identify a threatfrom substantially longer standoff ranges, allowing them to accurately engageenemy forces with much improved combat survivability.
The new larger wings and pylons give a mission commander awide range of weapons or fuel loads. Weapons carried include a selection ofunguided rockets, Hellfire guided missiles and even wingtip-mounted Sidewinderair-to-air missiles. External fuel tanks can carried to increase thehelicopters endurance during long-range missions.
Now, after more than a decade of development and finalcertification, the AH-1Z will finally go to sea with a MEU. Its brother ” thearmed, troop-carrying UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter, a much-upgraded variantof the UH-1 Huey ” has already successfully accomplished MEU deployments andoperations in Afghanistan. Because the UH-1Y and AH-1Z share an 84 percentparts commonality between airframes, these deployments have proven the mechanicalcomponents of the AH-1Z as well as the UH-1Y.
The 11th MEU will soon compete its deployment work-ups andcombat certification process. For months, members of the ACE component of theMEU have been flying together in many training scenarios. The AH-1Zs are theMEUs main rotary-wing attack aircraft and many missions profiles are asked ofthem. An AH-1Z pilot told Vertical, The Zulu is foremost tasked with directair support of Marine infantry ground troops in any operation, includingamphibious assaults ” that is our bread and butter and our main purpose ofbeing.
Other missions are escorting the MEU ship-based CH-46E andCH-53E transport helicopters during raid and assault operations, ensuring theyare protected from air and ground threats. Other MEU-specific missions areaerial reconnaissance, observation and direct attack during VBSS (vesselboarding search and seizure) raids. A Zulu pilot explained, Well watch thedeck of the ship being assaulted and make sure no enemy forces are interferingwith our raid teams. Also, during a VBSS we watch for any boats or surfacecraft approaching the target ship and will attack and neutralize this threat ifrequired.
Anti-shipping and anti piracy operations are becoming moreimportant to MEU operations and AH-1Zs provide MEU commanders a hard-hittingreconnaissance and attack platform. With the new Zulu sensor fit,reconnaissance (both day and night) and airborne forward air controller (FAC-A)missions are frequently being assigned to the Zulus. As an AH-1Z pilotdescribed it, the FAC-A mission supports the ground commander throughintegration of aviation and indirect fire support assets to support the groundscheme of maneuver. Although not commonly discussed, the Zulu is fully capableof providing reconnaissance, intelligence and fire support for Marine specialoperation force units, in particular during night operations.
With its operational careerahead of it and a long history behind it, the Marines believe the AH-1Z willgive the 11th MEU the highly capable and hard-hitting combat power theydeserve. By all indications, the 11th MEU is well protected.
