General Dynamics awarded contract for AH-1Z Viper gun turrets for US Navy and Bahrain

June 2019 news defense aviation aerospace air force industry
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General Dynamics was awarded a $7.5 million contract modification for helicopter-mounted gun turrets, the US Defense Department announced.

General Dynamics awarded contract for AH 1Z Viper gun turrets for US Navy and Bahrain A US Marine Corps AH-1Z lands on USS Makin Island in 2010 (Picture source: US Navy)

The company  will build 37 modified A/A49E-7(V4) gun turrets used on AH-1Z "Viper" helicopters:  25 for the U.S. Navy and 12 for the government of Bahrain, the Pentagon announced on May 30.

66% of the funding will come from the Navy, with Bahrain paying the remaining 34% under Foreign Military Sales laws.

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is an American twin-engine attack helicopter, based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps as part of the H-1 upgrade program. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system.

General Dynamics' work will be performed at its facilities in Saco, Maine, and Williston, Vt., with an expected completion date of January 2022