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Bell, BAE to cooperate on military rotorcraft in Australia

By Ryan Maass
BAE Systems Australia Aerospace Director Steve Drury and Bell Helicopter Military Business executive vice president Lisa Atherton following the signing. Photo courtesy of Textron
BAE Systems Australia Aerospace Director Steve Drury and Bell Helicopter Military Business executive vice president Lisa Atherton following the signing. Photo courtesy of Textron

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Textron subsidiary Bell Helicopter has signed an agreement with BAE Systems Australia cooperate on military rotorcraft support in Australia.

Under the agreement, BAE Systems will support Bell Helicopter's AH-1Z attack rotorcraft, including maintenance, sustainment and future customer training.

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"This relationship aligns our interests and pursuits as we work together to pursue opportunities to strengthen and support the capability and posture of the Australian Defence Force," Bell Helicopter Military Business executive vice president Lisa Atherton said.

The AH-1Z Viper is an attack helicopter designed alongside the UH-1Y Venom as part of the H-1 upgrade program for the U.S. Marine Corps. The helicopter is armed with a 20mm cannon in addition to AGM-114A anti-tank missiles, AGM114F anti-ship missiles, and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles.

Both the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y are built for operations on a ship, open seas, littoral zones, and desert and tropical environments.

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