Da Zulu heads to sea

[HeyJoe]

Most lethal of the Huey Cobra line at sea

100802-N-3852A-035 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 2, 2010) An AH-1Z Cobra helicopter assigned to Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron (HX) 21, based in Patuxent River, Md., lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). This upgraded version of the Cobra is not yet available to the fleet. The helicopter features a larger engine and has two more blades than the Cobra's original two, giving it more power and maneuverability. Wasp is conducting test flight operations and was chosen as the platform to evaluate the limits and capabilities of newer models of aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rebekah Adler/Released)

 

[yak52driver]

That looks pretty dang wicked...

 

[Reconjoe]

F-35B, Zulu, Venom, Osprey and hopefully the 53K in the near future...all add's up to a great time to be getting into Marine Aviation. Semper!

 

[HeyJoe]

What began as 4BNBW....Four Bladed (UH-1)N(ovember) and 4 Bladed (AH-1)W(hiskey) and ultimately termed the H1 Upgrade program resulted in the November and Whiskey models sharing a 4 Bladed rotor system, tail boom, engines and avionics suite. THis is a good story for deployed maintainers and parts pipeline. The new models are now known as the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper, but more commonly called the "Yankee" and the "Zulu". The new engones and 4 bladed rotor system yield more power that translates to altitude, speed and lift capacity. The Zulu requires far less AoA now at speed so it's easier to spot them in pattern compared to the Whiskey.

100802-N-3852A-366 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 2, 2010) An AH-1Z Cobra helicopter assigned to Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron (HX) 21, based in Patuxent River, Md., approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). This upgraded version of the Cobra is not yet available to the fleet. The helicopter features a larger engine and has two more blades than the Cobra's original two, giving it more power and maneuverability. Wasp is conducting test flight operations and was chosen as the platform to evaluate the limits and capabilities of newer models of aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rebekah Adler/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

AH-1W for comparison. AoA need to translate to forward flight compared to AH-1Z.

100617-N-7948R-125 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 17, 2010) Marine pilots assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) fly an AH-1W Super Cobra during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is part of Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell/Released)

 

[SynixMan]

That's a hot piece of kit right there. Whats the thing coming off the nose? Refueling probe?

 

[Reconjoe]

Whats the thing coming off the nose? Refueling probe?

I'm sure someone here will know from first hand experience, but until i'm corrected...
More than likely that/those are instrument ports to collect data (air data port), like a pitot tube. Normal for test airframes to get them attached in an unconventional/non-tactical manner, and then moved somewhere more practical when the airframe goes into full production. You see the same thing if you google pics of the F22 or X35 during testing...the abnormally long air data probe protruding from the nose.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Hot, I saw a 4 ship of Cobras (not sure if they were Z) fly down the beach by my house outside of Pendleton the other night. Probably one of the most bad ass machines to ever fly

 

[HeyJoe]

Hot, I saw a 4 ship of Cobras (not sure if they were Z) fly down the beach by my house outside of Pendleton the other night. Probably one of the most bad ass machines to ever fly

Especially in head-on aspect

100620-N-7948R-063 DILI, Timor-Leste (June 20, 2010) An AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter flies off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Sailors from the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and embarked Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) are participating in Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2010, a multilateral exercise promoting cooperation through civic action programs and training with the Timor-Leste and Australian militaries. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell/Released)

 

[81montedriver]

F-35B, Zulu, Venom, Osprey and hopefully the 53K in the near future...all add's up to a great time to be getting into Marine Aviation. Semper!

Oh I see but the J-model Herc doesn't get any love. Roger.

 

[HeyJoe]

F-35B, Zulu, Venom, Osprey and hopefully the 53K in the near future...all add's up to a great time to be getting into Marine Aviation. Semper!

Oh I see but the J-model Herc doesn't get any love. Roger.

That's because he confined his remarks to what's coming down the road, not what's already proven itself (like your ride):

050507-N-0295M-021 Cherry Point, N.C. (May 7, 2005) - A KC-130J Hercules simulates aerial refueling with an EA-6B Prowler and two AV-8B Harrier II aircraft at the conclusion of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstration at the 2005 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point air show. The MAGTF demonstration highlighted air and ground attacks used by the Marine Corps. This year's air show showcased civilian and military aircraft from the Nation's armed forces, which provided many flight demonstrations and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (RELEASED)

 

[81montedriver]

That's because he confined his remarks to what's coming down the road, not what's already proven itself (like your ride):

050507-N-0295M-021 Cherry Point, N.C. (May 7, 2005) - A KC-130J Hercules simulates aerial refueling with an EA-6B Prowler and two AV-8B Harrier II aircraft at the conclusion of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstration at the 2005 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point air show. The MAGTF demonstration highlighted air and ground attacks used by the Marine Corps. This year's air show showcased civilian and military aircraft from the Nation's armed forces, which provided many flight demonstrations and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (RELEASED)

This is true but I know the Osprey has been deploying successfully the last few years and hasn't the UH-1Y taken part in several MEU's successfully as well?

 

[gotta_fly]

Hot, I saw a 4 ship of Cobras (not sure if they were Z) fly down the beach by my house outside of Pendleton the other night. Probably one of the most bad ass machines to ever fly

Agreed. When I went to USMC sleepaway camp during cortramid there was a flight of Cobras doing a night live fire exercise on a mountainside within view of where we were camped out. Needless to say I didn't sleep a wink that night. It was mind-bottlingly awesome.

 

[MIDNJAC]

^^ driving home to OR a couple months back on leave, we passed through Pendleton (I-5) as some UH-1Y's were popping flares and doing their thing. Pretty cool to watch, and it distracted me from the wifey's driving too

 

[Coota0]

I'm jealous of the new helmet the zulu and yankee (I think) drivers have. Anyone have first hand experience with it?