Bell Textron has started manufacturing the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter under a US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program for Nigeria, following the agreement reached in 2024.
The program officially moved into production with a signing ceremony for the first airframe at Bell’s manufacturing facility in Amarillo, Texas. Representatives from Bell Textron, the Nigerian Air Force, and the US Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, which oversees the contract, attended the event.
Nigeria to Receive Up to 12 AH-1Z Vipers
The agreement with Abuja covers the delivery of up to 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters. The package also includes program management support, engineering services, logistics assistance, spare parts, training equipment, and other related support.
Bell Textron is scheduled to complete production of the full fleet by January 2029. The US government approved the proposed sale to Nigeria in 2022, with the package valued at approximately $997 million.
AH-1Z Viper Capabilities
The AH-1Z Viper is a two-seat attack helicopter measuring approximately 58 feet (18 meters) in length, with a rotor diameter of 48 feet (15 meters). The aircraft accommodates a pilot and gunner and can carry a range of weapons for precision strike and close air support missions.
Its armament options include an M197 20mm electrically driven three-barrel rotary cannon, Hydra 70mm guided rockets, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM).
Power comes from two General Electric T700-GE-401C engines, each delivering 1,800 horsepower. The propulsion system enables the helicopter to reach a maximum speed of 222 knots (255 mph/411 km/h), with a range of approximately 370 nautical miles (426 miles/685 km) and an operational ceiling of up to 20,000 feet (6,096 meters).
