AH-1 "Z" Viper Patch — Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter Embroidered Patch
The deadliest snake in the Marine Corps' arsenal—the AH-1Z Viper, the ultimate evolution of the Cobra lineage that has provided close air support to Marines since Vietnam.
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is the United States Marine Corps' premier attack helicopter—a twin-engine, four-bladed rotary-wing weapons platform designed specifically to deliver devastating firepower in support of Marine ground forces. The Viper represents the final and most advanced iteration of the AH-1 Cobra family, which entered combat in Vietnam in 1967 as the world's first dedicated attack helicopter. The "Z" designation marks the pinnacle of over five decades of continuous development, transforming the original single-engine, two-bladed Cobra into a fully integrated digital combat system.
The AH-1Z features a four-bladed, bearingless composite main rotor system, twin General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines producing 1,800 shaft horsepower each, and the Target Sight System (TSS)—a third-generation FLIR turret providing day/night targeting capability. The Viper's weapons suite includes the M197 20mm three-barrel Gatling cannon in a chin-mounted A/A49E-7 turret, AGM-114 Hellfire anti-armor missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and 2.75-inch Hydra 70 rocket pods. The aircraft's integrated helmet-mounted sight and display system allows the pilot or copilot/gunner to slave the weapons and sensors to their line of sight, enabling rapid target acquisition and engagement.
Every Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) operates the AH-1Z Viper alongside the UH-1Y Venom in a composite light/attack team configuration—a pairing that leverages 84% parts commonality between the two aircraft to reduce the logistics footprint for forward-deployed Marine units. The Viper and Venom team provides close air support, armed escort, armed reconnaissance, anti-armor warfare, forward air control (airborne), and close-in fire support for amphibious operations. HMLAT-303 at Camp Pendleton trains every AH-1Z pilot and crew member before they join the fleet.
Perfect For: AH-1Z Viper pilots and crew members, HMLA squadron personnel, HMLAT-303 graduates, Marine Corps Skid Kid community members, attack helicopter aviation enthusiasts, and military patch collectors.
The Viper—born from the Cobra, perfected for the modern battlefield, and trusted by every Marine on the ground to deliver fire and steel when it matters most.
