- Yes
- No
History
The H-1 Upgrade Program was initiated to replace the aging AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Twin Huey fleets with the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom, respectively. The program achieved 85% parts commonality between the two airframes, a logistical feat designed to reduce the expeditionary footprint of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons (HMLA). The AH-1Z reached IOC in February 2011 and Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2020.
The Legacy platform was conceived and fielded during the height of the Global War on Terror (GWOT), optimized for close air support (CAS) in permissive environments where air supremacy was assured. The Modern SIEPU-standard aircraft represents a fundamental re-architecture designed for the requirements of survival within the Weapons Engagement Zone (WEZ) of peer adversaries in the Indo-Pacific theater.
The “Modern” configuration is defined by the Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU).
Design
The Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU) is one of the latest improvements being introduced into the existing fleet of AH-1Zs. Although it mainly improves the power generation and distribution of the Vipers generators, in-game it could be a aggregate version incorporating other modifications and improvements introduced after IOC.
Airframe and Engines
T700-401D
T700-401D - Powers the Sikorsky H-60 Sea Hawk/Jay Hawk, and Bell’s AH-1Z/UH-1Y.
The AH-1Z SIEPU utilizes the newer General Electric T700-GE-401D engines, an improved version of the T700-GE-401C that we have in-game. They posses similiar performance characteristics.
Avionics
The Modern AH-1Z integrates the digital AN/APR-39D(V)2, which can also detect C-D bands, similiar to the AN/APR-39E(V)2 mounted on the AH-64E.
Armament
The AH-1Z SIEPU retains the the weapon capabilities of the legacy version with some major upgrades.
The USMC declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for JAGM on the AH-1Z in March 2022. The AGM-179 is already implemented in-game on vehicles like the AH-64E. The AGM-179 and AGM-114 both share the M299 launcher, meaning he Viper can carry up to 16 JAGM missiles.
The Modern AH-1Z integration roadmap includes the AIM-9X Block II. The AIM-9X Block II features High Off-Boresight (HOBS) with HMSD slaving and Lock-on-After-Launch (LOAL) capabilities.
Currently this missile is yet to be introduced into the game, but with its sure introduction for the fixed-wing aircraft there is no obstacle for the AH-1Z SIPU receive this missile.
AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder
Current and future integration efforts also include the F/A-18A/B, E/A-18G, F-15E/EX, F-16C/D, F-22, F-35A/B/C, MQ-9, AV-8B, and AH-1Z.
Countermeasures
The AH-1Z SIEPU features improved survivability by replacing the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System with the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) which combines the MAW and LDIRCM into one. The AN/AAQ-45 “provides inexhaustible directed-energy laser countermeasures”.
The AN/AAQ-45 directly replaces the sensors of the AN/AAR-47 MAW so a remodel is not necessary.
AN/AAQ-45 sensors/emitters in place of the AN/AAR-47
Specifications
Powerplant: T700-401D
The performance should remain virtually unchanged, the 401D is possibly only a modernised version of the 401C.
Armament:
- Hardpoints: 6
- Gun: 20 mm M197 cannon 750 rounds, linkeless ammunition
- Air-to-air missiles:
2× AIM-9M
2× AIM-9X Block II - Air-to-ground missiles:
16× AGM-114R Hellfire II
16× AGM-179 JAGM - Rockets:
76× Hydra 70
38× APKWS II proximity fuse is in work
Avionics:
- RWR: AN/APR-39D(V)2
Band: C-M - FLIR: AN/AAQ-30 TSS
- LWR: AVR-2A
- Radar: AN/APG-78 optional pod on the wingtip station
Countermeasures:
- Chaff/Flares: Same as the legacy AH-1Z
- DIRCM: AN/AAQ-45 DAIRCM, 4× Sensors/Emitters, replacing the AN/AAR-47
Sources
- 2025 Marine Aviation Plan
- Naval Aviation News, Summer 2021
- Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure System (DAIRCM)
- New AC+DC Generator to Reduce Weight/Increase Power Availability on the H-1Y/Z Aircraft
- Bell wins $26.7M Contract for H-1 Structural and Electrical Upgrades
- First AH-1Z to Receive SIEPU Upgrade Arrives at Bell Amarillo Assembly Center
- Marine Corps Joint Air-to-Ground Missile achieves Initial Operational Capability
- AH-1Z JAGM
- USMC Light/Attack Helicopter Program PMA-276
- DOT&E FY2023 Annual Report: Navy: AIM-9X
- BAE Systems AGR-19 / AGR-20 / AGR-21 APKWS II
- PMA-272 DAIRCM Team wins NAVAIR Commander’s Award
- Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX)-21
- AN/APR-39E(V)2 Modernized Radar Warning Receiver (MRWR)
- Northrop Grumman to produce additional APR-39D(V)2 digital RWRs
- Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU) Textron
- DVIDS HMLA-367 conducts routine maintenance during SLTE 4-25
- AN/APG to AN/APH - Equipment Listing