- For PC
- For MAC
- For Linux
- OS: Windows 7 SP1/8/10 (64 bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
- Memory: 4GB
- Video Card: DirectX 10.1 level video card: AMD Radeon 77XX / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. The minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64 bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 3600 and better
- Memory: 16 GB and more
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card or higher and drivers: Nvidia GeForce 1060 and higher, Radeon RX 570 and higher
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i5, minimum 2.2GHz (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 6 GB
- Video Card: Intel Iris Pro 5200 (Mac), or analog from AMD/Nvidia for Mac. Minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i7 (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 8 GB
- Video Card: Radeon Vega II or higher with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
- OS: Most modern 64bit Linux distributions
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 660 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months; the minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 64bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Memory: 16 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 1060 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD (Radeon RX 570) with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
The AH-1Z Viper is the most modern version of the twin-engine Cobra, developed as a replacement for older models in the early 2000s. American aviators and helicopter enthusiasts will have the chance to pilot the Viper in War Thunder with the release of update 1.81 “The Valkyries”!
Briefly: The latest and most modern member of the AH-1 family of attack helicopters, featuring improved mobility and protection, whilst staying as deadly as ever thanks to its ordnance options.
In 1996, the USMC launched the H-1 program in cooperation with the Bell company. The H-1 program was a plan to upgrade and modernize the Navy’s existing fleets of AH-1 and UH-1 helicopters, in order to extend their service life and lower future operating costs. This was achieved by developing a new version of each helicopter model respectively. The new AH-1Z Viper, also known as “ZuluCobra”, received upgraded avionics, fire control systems, engines and an improved four-blade rotor system, among other improvements. Furthermore, both the new Viper and UH-1Y were designed in a way to use mostly identical parts, achieving the desired reduction in operating costs and ease of maintenance as a result. The AH-1Z Viper conducted its maiden flight in December 2000, with three prototypes being built for testing in 2002. Small-scale production began in 2003 before the Viper was approved for full-scale production in November 2010. The USMC has ordered for 189 Vipers to be delivered to the fleet by 2021, with only a few dozen machines being in service today.
In War Thunder, the AH-1Z Viper will be among the top performers of the new American helicopter line and will be available for research to all aspiring commanders of this machine after the release of update 1.81 “The Valkyries”. Though it may still draw some resemblance from its Vietnam-era predecessors, rest assured that the Viper adds a welcome modern flavour to the proven Cobra design.
The most significant changes are thankfully also the easiest to notice as most of them affect the vehicle’s visual appearance. While all naval versions of the Cobra are twin-engine, the AH-1Z Viper is equipped with the most powerful set ever fitted to a Cobra model. As both of the T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines are capable of producing 1,800 horsepower each, this allows the Viper to reach a top speed of 184 mph (296 km/h), making it among the fastest members of the family.
Apart from the engine upgrade, the rotor system also received a significant overhaul. With the Viper now sporting a four-blade rotor instead of the traditional two-blade one, handling got improved, whilst the new composite material of which they’re made of ensured better survivability and resilience against ground fire.
The armament of the AH-1Z Viper should be somewhat familiar to those who have already familiarized themselves with the earlier Cobra modifications we covered in previous devblogs. Besides the three-barreled 20mm rotary cannon under the aircraft’s nose, the machine still allows for external ordnance to be mounted on four hardpoints spread across its two stub wings. While one ordnance option consists of the usual loadout of four Hydra rocketpods, the other one allows pilots to install 16 TOW-2 guided missiles, allowing the Viper to act as a serious threat to enemy armor even at long distances.
Be sure to try out the most modern, and arguably most lethal, modification of the AH-1 ever produced in War Thunder update 1.81 “The Valkyries”. Until then, clear skies and good hunting pilots!
Check other devblogs:
The War Thunder Team
Comments (60)
Hellfires? Even though it only gets 8x TOW-2's as its best AGM in the dev server?
It's not like Dev Server means "subject to change"
I mean, now you have no excuse to not push into the 21st century and not to add high-end transonic tier 6 jets, MiG-19, F-100, and Vietnam era supersonic jets.
I would go a step further and say they can get away with adding the F/A-18A Hornet, because the Viper started production around the end of 2000.
My favorite Helicopter! Thank you guys! Its gona be a hell of a grind to get it. It brings back the BF memories. Cant wait to fly it again! Im sure the helicopters will bring more tactical variations In squads I also can see the game in 10.0 BR combined arms will require more teamwork then any other BRs. Amazing model you made! keep up!
You could just... hmmm…. Boost it.
Oh come on. I know what x16 Hellfire for now is an undesireable piece of text, but just replacing it with TOW-2 is just wrong. No, AH-1z can't carry 16 TOW-2s. It can't carry any, because corresponding control system just wasn't installed, and what we have in game is a "what if" vehicle. Furthermore, any cobra variant could never carry 16 TOW-2s, just 8 in two quad racks. A glorious replacement. From a well-written text exposing some content to be added in the future to an outright lie. Great.
This is my all time Favorite :)
Things are getting exciting, can you pass a high five to the development team for us ? XD
helicopters against anti-aircraft radars are too disadvantaged, it would be appropriate to remove the aim guided by the third person and leave it alone in the gunner view
I am curious why you guys choose this over the AH-64A and keep in line with the 1980's vibe. And before protest because of the Hellfire. The AH-64A used laser guided Hellfires, far from fire and forget version of today.
The only helicopter that uses f&f Hellfires are AH-64D.
My guess is because the AH-64 is not the best helicopter to complement the current US helis. They usually are more agile but slower than the Russian ones. As far as I know the Apache is even slightly less mobile while being slower than the Hind. The real strength of the Apache would only be seen with the Longbow version anyway which would bring Fire and Forget weapons that are too advanced for now (or will always be tbh). The Viper is a very well known Helicopter as well.
Oh the British need this Hilocopter in their tree with Brimstone missles! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brimstone_(missile)
Can you please folder the Hueys that way you only have to research one Huey before you get a good ground attack aircraft?
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