이번달초 UH-1Y 헬기 공급에 이어 최초의 AH-1Z 헬기가 미 해병대에 공급되었다고 합니다. 지난해 9월 두가지 버전의 헬기가 롤-아웃했고 최종적으로 280대의 헬기가 공급될 예정입니다. 두 헬기는 테일-붐, 엔진, 로터, 소프트웨어, 애비오닉스등  84%의 공통성을 갖는 기종으로서 노후화된 전력의 현대화을 통해 향상된 능력과 운영비 감소가 기대된다고 합니다. 그런데 UH-1Y와 AH-1Z 프로그램이 새로운 기종을 구매하는 프로그램이 아니라 기존의 UH-1을 업그레이드하는 프로그램인가요? KHP 사업에도 제안되었던 기종이라서 당연히 신조기 구매로 이해하고 있었는데, 신조기를 구매한것인지에 대한 내용이 명확하지 않네요. " http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.19170683.1143604511.RCoFH8Oa9dUAAC1LCXA&modele=jdc_34 " Bell Delivers First Production H-1 Helicopters to the Marines Bell has now delivered the first production H-1 helicopters (seen here an AH-1Z Cobra) to the US Marines (Bell Helicopter photo)AMARILLO, Texas --- Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, today delivered the first production AH-1Z attack helicopter to the U.S. Department of Defense. Earlier this month the first UH-1Y utility helicopter was delivered These two helicopters comprise the H-1 program that will ultimately provide 280 upgraded attack and utility helicopters to the United States Marine Corps. Both updated helicopters had a joint roll-out ceremony in September of last year.   Dick Millman, president and CEO of Bell, stated, "Bell Helicopter is pleased to be able to provide these much-needed assets to our warfighters. The modernization of the Corps' aging fleet will provide enhanced capabilities while reducing operational costs in the field."   "We have created completely modernized attack and utility helicopters that have considerable design commonality to reduce operating costs. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y share common tail boom, engines, rotor system, drive train, avionics architecture, software, controls and displays for over 84 percent identical components. This should drive down maintenance while improving reliability for a cost savings of more than $3B over the 30 year program," said Mike Blake, Bell's executive vice president for programs.   Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.   -ends-