Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DEFEA 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • DSEI Japan 2023
    • NAVDEX 2023
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» Event News» MAST Asia 2019»MAST Asia 2019: AH-1Z Would Be a Good Fit for JGSDF Amphibious Brigade – Bell
IMDEX Asia 2023

MAST Asia 2019: AH-1Z Would Be a Good Fit for JGSDF Amphibious Brigade – Bell

Xavier Vavasseur 17 Jun 2019

At MAST Asia 2019, the defense exhibition and conference currently held near Tokyo, Japan, Bell Helicopter is showcasing its combat-proven AH-1Z. The company is convinced that its Viper would be the right solution for the JGSDF.

Naval News sat down with Bell Helicopter’s John Woodbery, Asia Pacific Military Director, to find out more.

Naval News: Why do you think the AH-1Z is the right helicopter for Japan’s Self Defense Forces ?

John Woodbery: The Bell AH-1Z is the only marinized attack helicopter in the world that can operate off the ship and built for maritime operations, which best fit JGSDF’s remote island defense to provide maximum close air support for their Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. 

Bell stand at MAST Asia 2019

Naval News: What is Bell’s current track record with the Viper ?

John Woodbery: First delivered to the United States Marine Corps in 2006, the AH-1Z is combat proven, serving the USMC in Afghanistan and Iraq. Recently, the Royal Bahraini Air Force confirmed its order for 12 Vipers, which will be delivered from the second half of 2022.

An AH-1Z Viper with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands aboard the USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) at sea Feb. 23, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)

Naval News: Is the AH-1Z be fully compatible with the JMSDF Helicopter Destroyers (Izumo and Hyuga-class) as well as LST (Osumi-class)?

John Woodbery: The marinized AH-1Z will be fully compatible with the Izumo, Hyuga and Osumi class ships as it is designed to operate off ships. Marinization is more than just corrosion protection against saltwater. Electromagnetic interference is also one of the largest concerns for aircraft’s ship operation and the AH-1Z is built to ensure that a ship’s powerful radar does not interfere with its onboard systems.  Another aspect of marinization is around space management as space is limited on a ship. For example, the AH-1Z comes with foldable blades and its maintenance footprint is designed to be small.

Naval News: Would the JGSDF be getting a customized version of the Viper? Or a similar variant/standard as the ones currently in use with the USMC?

John Woodbery: It is too early to tell which version the JGSDF would be getting but we look forward to working closely with the JGSDF to ensure they have the right variant that meets their needs. That being said, it is clear that the JGSDF need an advance attack helicopter that can operate in a maritime environment and onboard a ship, which the AH-1Z is built to do. Finally, with the USMC presence in Okinawa, interoperability with the USMC is a key factor for the JGSDF. Selecting the AH-1Z, will enable the JGSDF to train and operate even more seamlessly with the USMC in Okinawa.  

Naval News: Regarding the Japanese V-22 program, how many units have been delivered so far? Is Bell on track?

John Woodbery: The Japanese V-22 program continues to progress well with production of the 17 required by Japan already started. The V-22 recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of its first flight in March this year and has around 360 aircraft operating globally with more than 450,000 flight hours.

Naval News: With the newly created Japanese Marine Corps, do you expect some rotary wing requirements to emerge for this new service?

John Woodbery: There is no new service creation on top of JGSDF, JMSDF and JASDF.  The JGSDF has various rotary wing fleets but their existing attack helicopters are not designed for battle in the maritime environment.  The change in threat environment has required JMOD to focus on the Southwestern island defense, which led to a creation of Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB).  The Bell AH-1Z is built to operate both on land and sea, providing organic fire support to ARDB.

AH-1Z Bell Helicopter Helicopter MAST Asia 2019-06-17
Tags AH-1Z Bell Helicopter Helicopter MAST Asia
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More
SAS 2023

Authors

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.

Related Articles

Bell Delivers 189th and Final AH-1Z Viper Helicopter to the USMC

Bell Delivers 189th and Final AH-1Z Viper Helicopter to the USMC

Naval News Staff 02 Nov 2022
Bell celebrated the delivery of the 189th AH-1Z Viper to the U.S. Marine Corps, completing the Program of Record (POR) for the latest version of the storied H-1 platform.
Bell Selects Sierra Nevada Corporation for its HSVTOL team

Bell Selects Sierra Nevada Corporation for its HSVTOL team

Naval News Staff 19 Sep 2022
Bell’s HSVTOL vehicles blend the hover capability of a helicopter with the speed, range and survivability features of fighter aircraft, with low downwash hover capability and jet-like speeds of more than 400 kts...
USMC Lands AH-1Z and UH-1Y on Zumwalt-class destroyer

USMC Lands AH-1Z and UH-1Y on Zumwalt-class destroyer

Peter Ong 09 May 2022
The USMC landed an AH-1Z “Viper” attack helicopter and a UH-1Y “Venom” utility and command and control helicopter on Zumwalt-class destroyer.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved