CPI Aerostructures To Make Components For AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter

CPI Aerostructures has won a contract worth $14.8 million from Bell Helicopters to make assemblies for the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter.

The contract includes manufacturing engine cowling and support components for the helicopter. The contract runs until Dec. 31, 2020, the company announced Tuesday.

CPI has filled $6.8 million in past orders for the assemblies since 2011.

The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter used by the United States Marine Corps. The AH-1Z program reached initial operational capability in September 2010 and began full-rate production in December 2010.

In May 2016, Bell Helicopter was awarded a contract including 16 AH-1Z helicopters. This contract is part of the Marine Corps' H-1 Program of Record which calls for the acquisition of a total of 189 AH-1Z "Viper" attack helicopters and 160 UH-1Y "Venom" utility helicopters.

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is the lethal anti-armor attack helicopter, capable of carrying the wide array of ordnance of any helicopter.

Target identification is crucial in the modern battlefield, and the Bell AH-1Z's Target Sight System provides the long visual range and high accuracy and allows the operators of the AH-1Z to identify and track multiple targets outside the enemy's ability to visually detect the Viper.