CPI Aerostructures has received a contract amendment from Textron subsidiary Bell Helicopter for the production of engine cowl assemblies and support assemblies for the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter.
The amendment to the indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract is worth an estimated $3.8m and extends the period of performance by one year.
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CPI Aerostructures secured the original $14.8m deal in January last year.
The value of the original contract was based on the estimated order quantity during the period of performance ending 31 December 2020.
However, the revised order has a potential value of $18.6m based on the estimated order quantity during the extended period of performance, now ending 31 December 2021.
The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine, lethal anti-armour attack helicopter, which is capable of carrying the widest range of ordnance of any helicopter in the world.
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By GlobalDataIt also possesses integrated air-to-air strike capability and superior air-to-ground performance.
Bell Helicopter notes that the aircraft is equipped with a target sight system, which provides the longest range and highest precision of any helicopter sight currently available on the market.
The solution enables the AH-1Z operators to identify and track multiple targets outside the enemy’s ability to visually detect the helicopter.
The USMC’s AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter programme originally attained initial operational capability (IOC) in September 2010 and subsequently began full-rate production in December 2010.
Bell Helicopter secured a contract for the delivery of 16 AH-1Z aircraft in May 2016 as part of the USMC’s H-1 Program of Record, which involves the acquisition of a total of 189 units of the AH-1Z Viper and 160 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter.
CPI Aerostructures has been engaged in developing cowl and support assemblies for the AH-1Z Viper aircraft since 2011.
