Bell Helicopter’s newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, has successfully completed operational evaluation (OPEVAL) conducted by the US Marine Corps.

The US Navy’s Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force tested the AH-1Z helicopters and found that they were operationally effective and suitable for fleet introduction.

The helicopter features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.

The company is anticipating an order for a total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the US Marine Corps H-1 upgrade programme, intended to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs.