Since the introduction of the AH-64D and the latter AH-64E the AH-1Z has been treated as an inferior and less sophisticated helicopter.
It has consistently failed to receive updates that would bring it to a similar level to other top-tier helicopters.
Just to name a few discrepancies:
- DAIRCM has been rejected although viable and correct sources have been provided
The following argument has been given:
“In-game modification has no laser DIRCM installed.”
AH-1Z missing AAQ-45 DAIRCM (laser DIRCM)
Apart from being completely ignorant this argument doesn’t align with Gaijin’s own narrative, the AH-1Z that we currently have in game doesn’t bear any indication of model, tranche or modification.
To finalize his block, this argument is of the same value as the argument that the AH-1Z never fired TOWs…
AH-1Z Viper - A Lasting Legacy
- AH-1Z still hasn’t received JAGMs even though a ticket has been “forwarded as a suggestion” back in September 2025, BEFORE the “Tusk Force” update that introduced the AH-64E and JAGMs
[DEV] AH-1Z missing AGM-179 JAGM-MR
I hope in future “forwarded as suggestion” will be treated more seriously…
12 Likes
AH-1Z has always been better than the 64D but I get it
(its FM did get absolutely smashed in the face when the Apaches arrived)
Yeah, there’ll probably be another AH-1Z added to the tree with JAGMs/LDIRCM/9X
6 Likes
its also missing AIM-9X
and longbow radar pod if you want that for some reason
7 Likes
That’s up for debate, in terms of instruments the AH-64D does get IRCM. Let’s not forget that the AH-1Z didn’t have Hellfire Ks for some time, even though they were introduced on other helicopters (64D, AH6M).
Unfortunately in the age of copy paste i don’t think we will ever get the Longbow pod. The AIM-9Xs have been rejected, even though in my opinion they wouldn’t be much better on the AH-1Z that the TY-90s on the Z10.
(DEV) Ah1z should have Aim-9X
1 Like
I like that AH-1Z has been treated as a better AH-64D.
I like that it’s a good BR for me to bring instead of having weapons that’d make its BR 13.0.
While I haven’t had the time to run 12.0 USA, I do like that AH-1Z is available for me to play instead of being locked to only heli PVE by being a higher BR than my ground vehicles.
There’s no such thing as “the age of copy-paste” either, as there has never been an update with even half of the additions being copy-paste.
2 Likes
I’m hoping for now, the Viper does at least get the JAGM-MR (SALH). The Viper (along with the Longbow) being placed at 12.0 is absolutely abysmal when compared to Ka52 which is arguably better than both of these platforms in almost all aspects.
It would be nice if it can get the Aim-9x because the 9ms are used defensively rather than offensively. But knowing the devs, that’s just asking too much.
I do feel like a new suggestion should be made for a Ah-1Z "late’ with all the possible improvements that it could get.
1 Like
In built MAW
not really a debate imo
Hellfire B vs K is honestly whatever
they both suck
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It ultimately depends on personal preference imo. The Apache is a hell of a lot more maneuverable however it isn’t the best at generating lift when doing sudden drops.
As for the built-in maw, it’s very helpful but you pair that with Aim-9ms which is arguably worse than stingers due to terrible speed and lack of energy retention.
I do agree with the Hellfire B vs K. Both are terrible and both perform nearly identical.
With the Longbow, you can carry MAW but no stingers so it really comes down to advantages over the Viper. All that I can think of is the 30mm Chain gun, IRCM and Radar so it depends how much you value that over the lack of a MAW.
Though the only exception to this is the Israeli Longbow which does have a built in MAW meaning that you can take stingers too. I’d take that over the Viper (as it is now) any day.
MAW was essential for staying alive at top tier prior to the RWR rework, Stingers have always been buns but were even more unusable on release (and are often just dodged with paying attention thanks to the limited G-pull) and IRCM wasn’t that essential either as nothing was in the game that could lock onto a helicopter at practical ranges for a long time (an AIM-9J or R-60 could only lock onto a Hind at point blank, even without HIRSS installed).
The Apaches have always been bottom tier until 64E, AH Mk.1 was viable thanks to MAW and more importantly: ATASK. The Viper wasn’t really great at any point either, it was just less terrible.
They’re certainly shorter range but in standard games they’re for self defense anyway, the better agility and proxy fuse are way more valuable imo, smokeless motor + HMS are an added bonus.
Still should get 9X though.
it was very good when it was released, that was just a very long time ago
I kinda disagree with this because when launched from a helicopter they dont have enough range for side and rear aspect shots
along with much worse IRCCM and their tendency to go for any missiles the target launches instead of staying on target
the stingers arent great, but at least they have the energy to hit the target; also you get twice as many of them
Even the Mi-4AV was overpowered on Heli release, that’s not really saying much.
Something flying sideways or away from you isn’t an immediate threat
and?
its not like the 9ms are better in front aspect
at least if you had stingers they have to pull to dodge it
while with 9ms they will one flare it, or just launch a missile at you and it will go for that
Can’t say I’ve had that problem with 9M, though I’ve heard they’re significantly more jank these days.
they have always been easy to flare from front aspect
and likely to go for missiles launched, but they have gotten worse with both recently
The range is the main problem, on front aspect (self defense scenario) you can only get a lock at <2,5km.
I would disagree, in my opinion with SAL guidance and center of mass shots they yield in terms of damge only to LMURs with HE warhead. Any other heliborne HEAT ATGM is going to have similiar or worse damage, Hellfires and JAGMs already get they “large warhed” damage model. Of course in the past they were terrible, on launch and in the following year they were unusable becuase of buggy guidance model introduced by Gaijin, only in the recent years they got the improved damage model which made one-shotting even possible.
IRCM? Yes, it wasn’t essential, but in the age of IRCCM AAMs the DIRCM makes engagements agains IR missiles trivial.
64D doesn’t and has never had DIRCM
1 Like
Yes for the 64D that we have in-game thats true, I was referring to the wider spectrum of top tier helis, those that currently possess DIRCM.
Fun thing is that the 64D that we have in-game has a modification called “AMASE” which “Allows installation additional block ICM” but as far as I am aware the AMASE pod manufactured by Terma also allows for the installation of DIRCM.
COMPLETE SELF-PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR ALL TYPES OF AIRCRAFT
“Each AMASE pod can host a DIRCM unit, RWR, MWS, and HFI.”
