In 1985 the Cobra Organization gained a major foothold in world politics and saw both the creation of their own sovereign state as well as an increase in funding due to growing international support and trade of arms in the form of the Terror Drome defense systems. With these changes and increases in funding came the proposal to upgrade Cobra's infantry forces, it was at this time that Cobra Commander commissioned the creation of the Viper Corps.

The need for specialized units to run Cobra was of absolute necessity as the organization had grown to the limits of its original infrastructure. The Cobra Blue Shirt would not be replaced, but instead supplemented with these new units. The program allowed a Cobra recruit to choose his own path, and through testing, be qualified for whichever position they wished to apply.

Tele-Viper "Communication & Electronics"	VIPERS "Cobra Infantry"
Motor-Viper "Cobra Stun Pilot"	Strato-Viper "Night Raven Pilot"
Techno Viper "Battlefield Technician"	Gyro Viper "Mamba Pilot"
Ice Viper "Cobra Wolf Operator"	Astro-Viper "Cobra Astronaut (Cobranaut)"
Toxo-Vipers "Hostile Enviroment Trooper"	Alley-Viper "Urban Assault Trooper"
Night Viper "Night Assault Specialist"	Rock Viper "Mountain Assault Trooper"