Maintainers make adjustments to the ammunition feeder of the M197 Gatling gun.

This AH-1Z is configured with two different launchers; a seven shot LAU-68 for 2.75 inch rockets and a four-round M272 for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

This rear view of an AH-1Z shows the hover infrared suppression system which is an integral part of the exhaust system.

The Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System is a targe-aperture, mid-wave, forward looking, infrared/electro-optical sensor housed in a gyro-stabilised turret mounted on the nose of the helicopter.

The primary structural components of the main rotor hub are two fibreglass two-arm yokes in a stacked arrangement. Composite main rotor blades are made from fibreglass and epoxy.

Flight line crew attach a brace to a main rotor of an AH-1Z prior to maintenance on the rotor hub.

Moving the AH-1Z requires four ground handling wheel sets. Towing is possible up to a max weight of 18,500 lb over smooth surfaces.

The AH-1Z is equipped with the M197 20mm Gatling gun and carries approximately 650 20mm rounds.

The forward ground handling wheel sets (in white) have steerable wheels.

The low air speed probe on the forward left hand side of the aircraft feeds the digital air data system which provides real time wind direction, wind speed, outside air temperature, air speed data.

The Thales TopOwl Helmet-Mounted Sight and Display system comprises a modular, protective helmet with day and night avionics to present a head-up display of visual aids and intensified night images to the pilot.

AH-1Z pilots say the Zulu is faster, carries more fuel and weapons compared to an AH-1W but a harder aircraft to employ because of the amount of information captured by the sensors which needs to managed.