The Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Viper Is One of the Fastest Attack Helicopters in the World

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The AH-1Z Viper’s original design is rooted in the iconic AH-1 Cobra, which is one of the first dedicated attack helicopters that rose to prominence during the Vietnam War
• One of the biggest upgrades from its predecessor is its twin-engine design, which is powered by General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines
• With a top speed of 255 mph, the AH-1Z Viper ranks among the fastest attack helicopters in the world
• Also: Discover the next Nvidia

With a top speed of 255 mph, the AH-1Z Viper ranks among the fastest attack helicopters in the world, and the U.S. Marine Corps has over 175 of these at its disposal. Its original design is rooted in the iconic AH-1 Cobra, which is one of the first dedicated attack helicopters that rose to prominence during the Vietnam War. ( The helicopter war: a look at the helicopters that defined the Vietnam War. )

Over the decades, the Cobra series has evolved with modern combat demands, and the AH-1Z Viper is the most recent iteration. These helicopters earned the nickname "Zulu" due to the "Z" in its call sign.

Manufactured by Bell, the Viper stands as a significant improvement from its predecessors, like the AH-1W Super Cobra. Notably, one of the biggest upgrades is its twin-engine design, powered by General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, which allow the Viper to hit much higher speeds than most helicopters. Comparatively, the AH-64 Apache, used by the U.S. Army, maxes its top speed around 180 mph.

Speed isn't the only thing that the Viper is packing. This helicopter can equip a wide array of weapons including Hellfire missiles, Sidewinder missiles, Hydra 70 rocket pods, and a nose-mounted 20mm cannon.

The Viper has been deployed in a few combat theaters, including Afghanistan and Iraq, where its speed and firepower have been instrumental in providing close air support to ground troops. These helicopters have also been incredibly useful in anti-armor strikes as well as reconnaissance missions.

The Viper is just one of the helicopters in service of the Marine Corps, and 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the whole lot. ( This is every aircraft flown by the U.S. Marine Corps. )

To identify the fastest helicopters currently in service of the U.S. Marine Corps, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, and ranked the aircraft by top speed. Additionally, we’ve included supplemental information on the type of aircraft, year introduced, and armament.

Here is a look at the fastest helicopters currently in the U.S. Marine Corps: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the aircraft used by the U.S. Marine Corps provides insight into joint military capabilities and expeditionary defense strategies. Knowing what the Marine Corps has in its arsenal sheds light on its unique ability to project power quickly and operate in different environments. This also gives context to the tactical flexibility and logistical reach the Corps brings to its operations, from amphibious assaults to close air support. Lastly, the composition and technological sophistication of the Marine Corps’ aircraft fleet highlight its ability to maintain dominance and execute rapid response missions.

5. UH-1Y Venom

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