Bell, based in Fort Worth, Texas, announced on Tuesday that it would produce 27 new AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the US Marine Corps (USMC). The $49.1 million contract signed with the US Navy is considered part of the H-1 upgrade program.

The H-1 upgrade program is aimed at obtaining new helicopters as well as AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters transform into AH-1Z and UH-1N Twin Huey service helicopters transform into UH-1Y in inventory. The AH-1Z will be an advanced AH-1W SuperCobra, featuring two-motor attack helicopters, four-blade rotor system, elevated transmission and a new target sighting system. The new helicopter has a load carrying capacity of 2,600 kg. The AH-1Z has the two crew, is up to 20,000 feet. It’s carries a 20-millimeter Gatling gun, and can fire 70-millimeter Hydra rockets, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles.