Why do we use both the AH-1Z Viper and AH-64 Apache? Furthermore, why do the Marines use the Viper instead?
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Marines operate with a lot less support than other branches. At the time the apache came out, it required more of a maintenance load than they were willing to take on while the Cobras had a large amount of parts compatibility with other marine helicopters, notably the Huey and it’s variants like the Venom, which simplified supply lines and base needs. It was easier to upgrade the Cobras (Eventually becoming vipers) than it was to update the apache to a marine version and then update logistics to support it.
The Marines are going to be getting a new attack helicopter in the coming years IIRC and just sort of leapfrog the apache entirely.
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