Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, hosted a delegation from the country of Nigeria to mark the start of production of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters built as part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program approved by the Department of War in 2024. Delegates toured Bell’s Amarillo production facility to observe the production line and ceremoniously sign the aircraft’s frame destined to join the Nigerian Air Force.The Department of War awarded Bell a contract to manufacture and deliver 12 AH-1Z Viper aircraft to Nigeria from its Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas. Along with the aircraft, Bell will also provide associated engineering, program management, and logistics support. Bell projects the aircraft production to be completed in early 2029.
“We are honored to host the Nigerian Air Force and share this milestone in production for the AH-1Z. The beam of the first production Viper for Nigeria will forever carry the names, hopes, and commitment of those who brought this aircraft to life. Today also signifies the dedication of thousands of Bell and Team Viper employees around the world who are proud to support this important international partner,” said Scott Sims, H-1 program director, Bell.
“The Bell AH-1Z Viper will play an important role in strengthening our counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations and enhancing our ability to protect the citizens of Nigeria,” said Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson. “We are pleased with the Viper’s advanced capabilities and interoperability and look forward to its induction as a key platform in our attack helicopter fleet.”
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Bell Helicopter. It is often called “Zulu Cobra”, based on the military phonetic alphabet pronunciation of its variant letter. Delivering unmatched multi-mission flexibility while employing both precision guided weapons and unguided munitions, the Bell AH-1Z Viper meets the modern battlefield’s expeditionary requirements across the full spectrum of military operations. Each one has an additional wingtip station for a missile such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Each stub wing has two other stations for 2.75-inch (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket pods, or AGM-114 Hellfire quad missile launchers. The Viper routinely maintains a high operational tempo from forward operating facilities by minimizing its logistical footprint without losing warfighting capabilities.
Bell Textron Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The company was founded on July 10, 1935, as Bell Aircraft Corporation by Lawrence Dale Bell in Buffalo, New York. The company focused on the designing and building of fighter aircraft. Textron purchased Bell Aerospace in 1960. A subsidiary of Textron, Bell manufactures military rotorcraft at facilities in Fort Worth, and Amarillo, Texas, United States and commercial helicopters in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.
