AH-1 Cobra
| AH-1 Cobra |
|---|
|
| Description |
|---|
| Role | Attack helicopter |
| Crew | 2 (pilot, gunner) |
| Dimensions |
|---|
| Length | 44 ft 7 in | 13.6 m |
| Width | 3.3 ft | 1 m |
| Height | 13 ft 5 in (S model) | 4.1 m |
| Weights |
|---|
| Empty | 6,598 lb (S) | 2,993 kg |
| Loaded | | |
| Maximum take-off | 10,000 lb (S) | 4,535 kg |
| Powerplant |
|---|
| Engines | AH-1G:
1x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T (T400) turboshaft
AH-1T, AH-1W, AH-1Z:
2x General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft |
| Power | T-53-L-703:
1,800 shp (1,300 kW)
T700-GE-401:
3,380 shp (2,410 kW) |
| Performance |
|---|
| Maximum speed | 141 mph (S) | 195 km/h |
| Combat range | 315 mi (S) | 507 km |
| Ferry range | | |
| Service ceiling | 12,200 ft (S) | 3,720 m |
| Rate of climb | 1,620 ft/min (S) | 494 m/min |
| Armament |
|---|
| Guns | AH-1G, AH-1Q:
M134 7.62 mm minigun and M197 3-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun in GE M97A1 nose turret |
| Missiles | 8 Hughes BGM-71 TOW antitank missiles or 4 Hydra 70 (7- or 19-tube) 2.75 in (70 mm) rocket pods or M181E minigun pods
AH-1W can also carry the Hellfire anti-tank missile and the Sidewinder air-to-air missile. |
The AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter, designed by Bell Helicopter Textron. Employing the UH-1 engine, transmission and rotor system, it is now fully replaced by the AH-64 Apache in US Army service, but continues to fly with US Marine Corps and several other users.
Operations
The Cobras are cheaper than the Apache and therefore can be used in masses. Their main usage is against armored targets. The Cobra's narrow front gives it a defensive advantage making it a harder target to acquire.
Combat Experience
The AH-1 Cobras had some use towards the end of the Vietnam War, but were not used extensively. During the 1983 invasion of Grenada, the HueyCobra supported Marine operations on the island.
During Operation Desert Storm, the Cobras and SeaCobras deployed in a support role. Approximately 78 Marine Cobras flew 1,273 sorties with no combat losses and only one noncombat loss.
Cobra helicopter gunships were also used widely by the Israeli Air Force in Operation Peace for Galilee to destroy Syrian armor and fortification. The IAF Cobras destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicle, including many of the modern Soviet T-72 main battle tank.
AH-1 Cobras are still used by the US military to this day, most notably in the ongoing Conflict in Iraq.
Variants
Single engined
- AH-1G HueyCobra
- AH-1Q
- AH-1S
- AH-1P (redesignated Step 1 production standard AH-1S)
- AH-1E (redesignated Step 2 up-gunned AH-1S)
- AH-1F (redesignated Step 3 modernized AH-1S)
Twin engined
- AH-1J SeaCobra
- AH-1T Improved SeaCobra
- AH-1W SuperCobra
- AH-1Z SuperCobra
Users
- AH-1E (12 in use)
- TAH-1P combat trainer (6 in use)
- AH-1S Zefa (approx. 50 in use)
- AH-1S (42 delivered)
- AH-1F (20 delivered)
- AH-1W (9 in use)
- AH-1P/S (32 delivered)
References
