Bell AH-1 HueyCobra

The Bell AH-1 HueyCobra series stepped in when the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne bowed out.

Designation: Bell AH-1 HueyCobra
Classification Type: Attack Helicopter
Contractor: Bell Helicopter Textron - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1967
Operators: Bahrain, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and the United States of America.

Based on the private venture Bell 209 helicopter, the AH-1 Cobra series of helicopters is many a military's primary light attack helicopter. As early as the 1950's Bell corporation was experimenting with armed versions in their helicopter engineering, proceeding to arm the AH-47 Sioux until realizing that airframe was vastly underpowered to fulfill the role.

The AH-1 development began in 1965, fitting the successful and existing UH-1B/C model powerplant, transmission and rotor systems to the newly-designed Cobra fuselage. The fuselage featured tandem seating with the pilot in read and gunner in front (though controls for weapons and piloting are doubled in each position for emergency purposes) and wing stubs are fitted to alleviate flight stress on the main rotor in flight - along with provisions for air-to-surface and air-to-air weaponry (the latter to appear in future variants). The initial prototype was flown a short six months after the design was produced.

With delays mounting in the development of the AH-56 Cheyenne project for Lockheed and the Vietnam War growing increasingly chaotic, the AH-1 was pressed into service with the United States military - the Army branch - to be more exact, with initial orders running at 209 Cobra AH-1G models. The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne would go on to be officially cancelled shortly thereafter.

In today’s military the HueyCobra (or simply "Cobra") weapon system performs anti-armor, air cavalry and armed reconnaissance roles and can attack point (individual) targets with its anti-armor and anti-helicopter capabilities. It also provides fire support and security missions. The AH-1Q model introduced the ability to fire wing-mounted TOW anti-tank missiles. From there, future versions were see improved avionics, radar and targeting controls as well as upgraded powerplants. The array of weapons that could be fitted to the Cobra increased as well, covering the gamut of HE rocket pods, cannon pods, minigun pods, anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles. The short wing stubs of the AH-1W SuperCobra model are cleared to carry Hughes TOW anti-tank missiles, AGM-65 ASM Maverick missiles, Hellfire anti-armor missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, the Sidearm anti-radiation (anti-radar) missiles and Hydra 70 rockets (in multiple shot pods). The standard main armament of the AH-1 Cobra is its three-barrel 20mm gatling gun mounted in a powered chin turret. The mix of weaponry depends entirely on the operating country and the individual Cobra model. Cobras can be armed with TOW and Hellfire anti-armor missiles, Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles, Sidearm anti-radar missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, 20mm (.80 caliber) cannon and a 7.62mm (.30 caliber) machine gun.

The AH-1 Cobra series has proven capable of engaging enemy armor and troops in a support or offensive role - which it currently does in today’s Iraq War. It has a high survivability rate as well and has shown its worth in battles since the Vietnam war. Various improvement programs have kept the AH-1 Cobra in the front lines of the US Army's arsenal. Ultimately, the AH-1 Cobra was to be replaced by the stealthy new RAH-66 Comanche helicopter until the project was abruptly cancelled in early 2004. Initial versions of the Cobra were powered by a single turbine engine, though the aforementioned US Marine Corps SuperCobra variant features dual turbine engines.

As of this writing, the United States Army retains 879 Cobras (models AH-1F, AH-1E, AH-1P, and AH-1S) whilst the United States Marine Corps utilizes 103 AH-1W SuperCobra models.

Variants
AH-1G - Initial Production Model of which 1,078 were produced.
AH-1Q - Anti-Armor Variant with provisions for Hughes TOW missiles.
AH-1S - Improved powerplant, transmission, avionics, cockpit and weapons systems.
AH-1S(MC) - Sub-Series Variant of the AH-1S.
AH-1F - Redesignation of the AH-1S(MC).
AH-1S(MOD) - Converted AH-1S.
AH-1P - Redesignation of the AH-1S (early builds).
AH-1E - Redesignation of the AH-1S featuring the improved weapons capabilities.
AH-1T "Sea Cobra" - US Marine Corps variant with twin-engines.
AH-1W "SuperCobra" - US Marine Corps variant with twin-engines (also exported to Taiwan and Turkey).
AH-1Z - SuperCobra variant modernization for the US Marine Corps featuring four-blade composite main rotor system.
AH-1J "SuperCobra" - Iranian Export Model.

Specifications for the Bell AH-1F HueyCobra
Dimensions:
Length: 44.59ft (13.59m)
Width: 44.00ft (13.41m)
Height: 13.42ft (4.09m)

Performance: About MACH
Max Speed: 141mph (227kmh; 123kts)
Max Range: 315miles (507km)
Rate-of-Climb:1,620ft/min (494m/min)
Service Ceiling: 12,198ft (3,718m; 2.3miles)

Structure:
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 4
Empty Weight: 6,598lbs (2,993kg)
MTOW: 9,998lbs (4,535kg)

Powerplant:
Engine(s): 1 x Textron Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft generating 1,800shp and driving a two-blade main rotor and tail rotor element.
Armament Suite:
Various:
8 x Hughes TOW anti-armor missiles
2 x 2.75in 7/19-Shot HE/Munitions Dispensing Rocket pods.
2 x Machine gun pods
1 x General Electric nose mounted three barrel 20mm gun