The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, and Czech Republic Minister of Defence, Lubomir Metnar, signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance finalising the foreign military sale.
“We are privileged to support the Czech people and applaud the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic for selecting AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters.” said Vince Tobin, Executive Vice President of Bell’s Military Business.
According to the firm:
“The H-1 mixed fleet shares 85-percent commonality between parts, reducing the logistics, maintenance, and training costs of the AH-1Z and UY-1Y helicopters while offering a lethal combination of integrated weapons systems to counter ground, air, and maritime targets effectively. The AH-1Z is the only helicopter in production equipped with the AIM-9 Sidewinder providing the most advanced air-to-air combat capabilities.”
Venerable designs but still very effective after updating. Proves a point, every new aircraft offered doesn’t need to be a brand new and shiny ground up design. There are many (most IMO) exisiting types that are perfectly capable of soldiering on effectively if they’re modernized and updated with new engines and avionics. As long as their airframe is still sound. The B52 obviously comes to mind…
Cheers!
“existing”
Both are combat tested on a few different battlegrounds, so yep, why not.
85% shared parts, that’s got to come in very handy.
So has the maritime capability 🙂 🙂 🙂
Sidewinders on a helicopter? Scope for equipping the Crowsnest Merlins with a BVRAAM?
They’ve been equipping choppers for decades.