US Navy's $114.7M H-1 SPINE Upgrade Readies Marine AH-1Z and UH-1Y Helicopters for Long-Range Weapons

Naval Air Systems Command awarded Bell Textron a $114.7 million contract modification on October 30, 2026, for Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom SPINE upgrades. The exercised option funds 15 A-kits, four mission kits, nine aircraft installations and long-lead components, with completion scheduled for June 2028. SPINE adds structural improvements and electrical-power capacity to support later defensive equipment, digital interoperability, Link 16 and long-range network-enabled weapons. The award forms part of Phase III, which covers modifications to up to 49 helicopters, with aircraft inductions planned from mid-2027 and the first redeliveries in 2028.