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New targeting system for ‘Zulus’

The first sensor system that will provide Marine AH-1Z Super Cobra pilots with enhanced abilities to track targets rolled off the assembly line in late June, bringing the twin-engine attack helicopter one step closer to its operational capability.

Last year, the Government Accountability Office knocked the Zulu’s nose-mounted target sight system — considered critical for identifying and engaging threats — saying it continued to experience a high failure rate, which could affect when the new helicopter is fielded.

Marine officials say the GAO report highlighted technical issues in some of the system’s electronic components and that it was based on early prototypes that were not designed to deal with the sand and heat of an operational environment. Those issues have since been worked out and the fielding date remains 2011, said Col. Harry Hewson, program manager for the Marine light attack helicopter program.

The target sight system sends black-and-white heat images to a computer screen located in the Zulu’s cockpit. Pilots also will be able to select a television-camera option to view color images.

The Corps has six AH-1Zs in its inventory, all of which are used for testing or training, officials said. The goal is to purchase 226, said Naval Air Systems Command spokesman Mike Welding.