COBRA VIPER

(The Vipers on the Ferret work in teams of two - the passenger functions as a look-out and rifleman while the driver concentrates on the rough terrain.  Area of operations: Brazilian rain forests)

CODE NAME:

Viper

BRANCH:

Cobra Ground-Viper operative

PRIMARY MILITARY SPECIALTY:

Infantry

SECONDARY MILITARY SPECIALTY:

None

SPECIAL TRAINING:

Cobra Vipers

EXPECTED ARMAMENT:

Cobra Vipers carry multi-burst laser pistols, commando rifles, and grenade launchers.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT:

Cobra Infantryman

FIRST DEPLOYMENT:

1986

AREA OF OPERATIONS:

Any non-arctic or non-desert

     Cobra Viper troops are the grunts of the Cobra legions.  If there's a dirty job that needs doing, these guys are first in line.  They wear multi-layer body armor and wraparound acrylic/composite helmets with built-in RTO* gear.  Vipers know that they're looked down upon by the more elite Cobra groups, but that just makes them more dedicated to getting the job done.

     Since Cobra deployed its first specialized Viper (the Tele-Viper) with Cobra battalions in 1985, it's most likely that Cobra conceived of the basic Viper training in 1984 before implementing the Crimson Guard program, rushed new recruits through to fill needed Tele-Viper roles, and finally properly trained the first Viper corps to be deployed in 1986.  Despite the initial rushed introduction of the Viper regiments, the Viper training program has served Cobra well and remained active over the last two decades.  Outside of the ever-increasing number of specialized Viper types, the basic Viper trooper was not upgraded until 1989, when Python Vipers were needed to round out Python Patrol squads.  Whether the Python Viper was actually a specialized Viper or just an upgraded designation is unclear.  Cobra again upgraded the basic Viper trooper in 1990 when the semi-experimental "Sonic" Viper was deployed with the same uniform in burnt orange and gold trim, but carrying "sonic" versions of firearms.  The most radical and short-lived alteration to the basic Viper uniform and gear was in 1994 with the "Battle Corps" Viper.

     In 1997, Cobra returned to the steadfast and field-proven multi-layer body armor with wraparound helmet for its Viper Team deployments, but with a less rugged boots and trousers.  This same uniform with built-in features was carried forward, with only the deployment colors changing, through the Cobra Troopers and Officers of 1998 and through every Viper deployment until 2003.  In 2004, Cobra upgraded the Viper trooper for its Venom operations.

     Vipers have been deployed internationally in the Canada, Europe, and the United States.

*Radio Telecommunications Operator

OTHER LINKS:

Cobra Battle Files

Cobra Urban Assault Trooper

Code Names: Vipers

Spy Troops Wave 4 (Wave 7.75) - COBRA Viper

Viper

Viper