Bell starts production CzAF Viper
On 23 February 2022, Bell Textron Inc., Fort Woth (TX), announced that they started the production of the AH-1Z Viper for the Vzdušné síly armády České republiky (CzAF, Czech Air Force) at their Amarillo Assembly Center (TX).
In September 2020, Bell Textron was awarded a USD272 million contract for the production and delivery of eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters for the CzAF. The contract does not include armament, ammunition, spare parts and training of pilots and service personnel.
In July 2021, Bell Textron started the assembly of the first CzAF UH-1Y Venom. The last UH-1Y Venom that was assembled at the Amarillo Assembly Center (TX) was in april 2018. A total of 160 UH-1Y were built for the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
All work is expected to be completed in November 2023.
Photo by Bell Textron