Bell Receives U.S. Order to Manufacture 12 AH-1Z Viper Helicopters for Nigeria

The United States intends to manufacture a considerable quantity of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for Nigeria.

The US Department of Defense has announced that Bell Textron, the aircraft manufacturing company, has received a $455 million contract for this endeavor.

These helicopters will come with design and logistical support and will be manufactured in Texas, with completion expected by July 2028.

Currently, the AH-1Z Viper is only in service with the US, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic, with Slovakia set to receive twelve units in the future.

Based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, the updated Viper features new main rotor, avionics, and electro-optical systems for long-range target detection.

It also boasts new high-precision weaponry like the AGM-114 Hellfire and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, with increased weapon suspension points thanks to its enlarged wing area.

The helicopter can be outfitted with AN/APG-78 Longbow radar and the crew benefits from the Thales Top Owl helmet-mounted guidance system.