Last year the Marine Corps bid farewell to the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter as it completed conversion to the technologically superior AH-1Z Cobra.
The Zulu Cobra (also called the Viper) features upgraded weapons and avionics systems, and is a composite four-blade, twin-engine aircraft. Manufactured by Bell Helicopter, it is primarily used for ground support and special operations.
As it did with the Super Cobra, the Marine Corps looks to Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) Site Camp Pendleton to ensure the readiness of its Zulu Cobras through the Integrated Maintenance Program (IMP).
The IMP keeps the aircraft mission-ready by targeting the integrity of the airframe by using two assessment events --- Planned Maintenance Interval-One (PMI-1) and PMI-2.
PMI-1, held approximately every 50-calendar days, is a disassembly, evaluation and repair process of the aircraft completed within the procedures specifications.
Squadrons remove the aircrafts blades prior to PMI-1, and the sites artisans remove the aircrafts intermediate and tail gear boxes, panels, engine and transmission for evaluation.
The aircrafts fuel cells are removed and all oil, fuel and hydraulic fluid hoses changed. Artisans also remove the stub wings to inspect the connecting points, the bushings and the stub wing lugs for signs of corrosion.
Furthermore, the aircrafts entire tail boom is evaluated with emphasis on specific parts identified by the IMP specification.
Damages or areas of concern outside of the IMP scope are reported to the squadron and are typically repaired as an in-service repair (ISR).
The PMI-2 cycle is held about every 80-calendar days and involves evaluations similar to PMI-1, but the aircraft are also stripped via particle media blast (PMB) and painted.
The Site Camp Pendleton staff and have a paint and PMB facility built in 2013 that enables a faster turn-around time of aircraft to the squadrons.
FRCSW Site Camp Pendleton inducted its first Zulu Cobra for an IMP event in March 2016. FRCSW Site Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, also performs the IMP on the AH-1Z Cobras.
In addition to the Zulu Cobra, Site Camp Pendleton also services the UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter.
Last fiscal year, FRCSW returned 13 H-1 helicopters to the fleet.