The story
The Marines liked the Army's Cobra but wanted two engines for flying far out over the sea, so Bell gave them twin-engine Cobras starting with the AH-1J in 1969. The AH-1W SuperCobra added General Electric T700 engines, TOW and Hellfire missiles and Sidewinders, and served the Marines from 1986 until October 2020. Its successor, the AH-1Z Viper, first flew in 2000 with a four-blade composite rotor, longer stub wings and the same engines and rotor system as the UH-1Y Venom. The Marines took their 189th and last Viper in November 2022, so most SUCO catches today are Vipers. Bahrain and the Czech Republic fly it too, and Bell began building 12 for Nigeria in September 2026. Taiwan's Army still flies the AH-1W, and Turkey moved its AH-1Ws to the Navy in 2022.
The Marines flew the AH-1W for more than 930,000 hours. Its last official flight, over New Orleans in October 2020, was a photo sortie alongside its successor, the AH-1Z Viper.
Quick answers
How do you identify a AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper?
Most SUCO catches are AH-1Z Vipers: a slim tandem-seat gunship with a four-blade rotor, two engine exhausts, long stub wings with missile rails, a three-barrel gun under the chin and a sensor turret on the nose. The older AH-1W SuperCobra, still flying in Taiwan and Turkey, has a two-blade rotor, shorter stub wings and bulged fairings on the sides of the nose.
What does a AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper sound like?
On the Viper, a quicker four-blade beat over a twin-turbine whine; the older AH-1W keeps the hard two-blade slap.
How fast is the AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper?
Top speed is 160 kts cruise (AH-1Z).
How many people does the AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper carry?
Typical configuration: Gunner in front, pilot behind (tandem).
How far can the AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper fly?
Range is about 370 nmi (AH-1Z).
How big is the AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper?
It is 58 ft 3 in (AH-1Z) long and 48 ft 0 in (rotor, AH-1Z) across the rotor.
When did the AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper first fly?
Its first flight was in 1983.
How many AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Vipers have been built?
189 AH-1Zs for the Marines plus exports; 179 new AH-1Ws and 43 rebuilt AH-1Ts before them built.
How rare is a AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first AH-1W SuperCobra / AH-1Z Viper catch is worth 250 points.
