The United States Marine Corps has begun integrating the precision-guided Red Wolf missile into the armament of Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters, taking into account lessons learned from combat operations in Ukraine. These aircraft are being considered as potential candidates for transfer to the Ukrainian side as part of a possible industrial partnership between Bell Textron and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The development of this long-range strike capability is being carried out in cooperation with L3Harris Technologies for the needs of the U.S. military, and testing has confirmed its effective application. The Red Wolf missiles are part of the Precision Attack Strike Munition (PASM) program of the United States Navy and are currently approaching the stage of serial production readiness.
The stated capabilities of the Red Wolf missile include engagement ranges exceeding 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 km), which significantly surpasses the performance of existing helicopter-launched weapons. The system is designed for beyond-line-of-sight operation and is capable of autonomously continuing its flight toward a designated target without direct operator guidance.
This approach reduces risks for aircrews by minimizing the need to enter areas covered by dense air defense systems. The Red Wolf missile is part of the broader Wolf Pack family, which is designed for deployment across multiple platforms, including air, land, and maritime systems. This multi-platform compatibility expands operational flexibility and can improve coordination in complex missions.
In parallel, discussions are underway with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the agency Ukraine Invest regarding potential frameworks for industrial cooperation. These discussions reportedly include the possibility of acquiring Bell UH-1Y Venom and Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters equipped with launch systems capable of deploying Red Wolf missile. Equipping the AH-1Z platform with such munitions would extend engagement range significantly, potentially providing additional advantages in the air domain.
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Source: Bell press release
