DEFENCEWEB
In a move to improve Nigeria’s air defense capabilities and help uphold regional stability, the country’s military is acquiring 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
U.S. manufacturer Bell Textron has been awarded a $455 million contract to produce and deliver the aircraft. The U.S. Department of Defense announced the sale in March 2024, adding that the contract includes engineering, program management and logistics support. Work is expected to be completed in July 2028.
In April 2022, the U.S. approved the sale of 12 Bell AH-1Zs to Nigeria for $997 million. The proposed deal included 28 T-700 GE 401C engines, 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections, 20 mm guns, sighting systems, night vision equipment, and technical and logistics support. In December 2023, the U.S. announced a contract awarded to Northrop Grumman to produce and deliver an additional 32 “H-1 tech refresh mission computers in support of the AH-1Z aircraft for the government of Nigeria.”
The AH-1Z program originally was launched in 1996 by the U.S. Marine Corps. The AH-1Z first flew in December 2000. The Viper model features a 10,000-flight-hour airframe, a four-blade tail rotor and drive system, upgraded landing gear, and a new foldable four-blade hingeless and bearingless main rotor system. The new rotor configuration provides greater agility, a higher top speed, faster climb rate and reduced vibration.
New avionics include a fully digital glass cockpit with large multifunction liquid crystal displays and helmet-mounted displays. The helmet system has day/night capability, and its visor projects forward-looking infrared or video imagery.
The helicopter is equipped with a Hellfire missile system, can carry air-to-air missiles and has a 20 mm cannon.