An AH-1Z “Viper” gunship attack helicopter assigned to US Marine crashed on Thursday, near New Jersey Base. As per initial details, two pilot were slightly injured in the crash. This mishap was happened near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Helicopter was belonged to 773 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA), 49th Marine Aircraft Group , 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve.
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Marine Reserves issued a press release, stating that,
There were no fatalities or civilian structure damage. Two personnel were on board and were transferred to nearby medical facilities. Their condition is stable.
AH-1Z Viper helicopters assigned to 773 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) were also participated in US-led Afghan war. Bell manufactured AH-1Z Viper is based on AH-1W Super Cobra and developed for US Marines and various allied states of United States.
About AH-1Z Viper Helicopter:
As per military.com,
Based on the Vietnam War-era AH-1 Cobra, the AH-1Z Viper is the Marine Corps’ primary rotor-wing ground attack aircraft. The AH-1Z attack helicopter provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions.
The Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
