Bell AH-1 SuperCobra

History of Bell AH-1 Super Cobra

The AH-1 "Super Cobra" is an evolution of the original Vietnam War era AH-1 "Cobra" born in the 1960s. The main difference of the SuperCobra is its dual-engine configuration compared to the single-engine nature of the Cobra system. The Super Cobra first flew in 1969 and entered service (as the AH-1J) in 1971. The modernized AH-1W was introduced in 1986.

To date, approximately 1,270 prototypes have been produced, and the model is in inventory in the United States (Marine Corps), the Iranian Army, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey. The AH-1W was superseded by the updated AH-1Z "Viper" standard.

Externally, the SuperCobra Collection retains much of the look of the original Cobra design, including a layered two-person cockpit that creates a sleek silhouette when viewed from the front. Both the chin-mounted power turret and the Cobra's fixed taxiing undercarriage were carried.

The pilot sits in the raised rear cockpit and the weapons officer sits in the front cockpit (flight and weapons controls are duplicated). The engine pair drives a twin-blade main rotor and a twin-blade tail rotor (the latter attached to the starboard side of the vertical tail). Armor capability.

It can be used to closely support friendly forces, support special forces operations, and secure convoys. Armed reconnaissance enables aircraft to pursue and attack unsuspecting enemies from a distance with artillery, missiles and missiles.

The SuperCobra comes standard with a triple-barreled 20mm M197 Gatling cannon mounted on a powered M97 turret under the nose. The system delivers 750 rounds of 20mm projectiles. SuperCobra is also certified to launch 2.75" (70mm) Mk 40 or Hydra 70 series rockets from multi-launch pods.

It can use larger 5" (127 mm) "Zuni" series rockets in place of the rocket/A series delivery system launched from the four-engine LAU-10D. Anti-tank dispatches are managed by TOW missile launchers (4-round launchers) and AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles (M272 launchers).

Missiles are limited to outboard hardpoints on the wings. To counter low-level threats, the platform can also deploy short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on each wingtip. An external fuel tank can also be fitted to increase the range.

The SuperCobra originated from related twin-engine variants, starting with the AH-1J "SeaCobra" and its export derivative, the AH-1J "International". Then there's the AH-1T "Improved SeaCobra" with an extended tail boom and a modernized engine/drivetrain. The AH-1W SuperCobra (nicknamed "Whiskey") has day and night combat capability as well as a more advanced weapons delivery system.

The AH-1(4B)W "Viper" ("Four-Blade Whiskey") is an upgraded version with a four-blade composite main rotor assembly. The AH-1Z "Viper" ("Zulu Cobra") is a Super Cobra overhaul with four-bladed main rotor blades and an advanced Night Sighting System (NTS).

The AH-1J SeaCobra is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada T400-CP-400 series turboshaft engine (PT6T-3 "Twin Pac") rated at 1,800 hp, driving a twin-blade main rotor and a twin-blade tail paddle. This gives the mount a top speed of 220 mph, a cruising speed of 175 mph, a range of 360 miles, and a service cap of 10,500 feet.

The climb rate was reported to be 1,090 feet per minute.

The newer AH-1W SuperCobra features 2 GE T700-401 turboshaft engines, each producing 1,690 SHP. This arrangement also powers the twin-blade main rotor and twin-blade tail rotor.

Straight-line performance remains the same, although the range has been increased to 365 miles, the service ceiling has been increased to 12,200 feet, and the climb rate has been increased to 1,620 feet per minute.

The Type 309 "King Cobra" is an evolution of the previous AH-1 product for all-weather operations. Ultimately, two prototypes were built, each with a different engine. "CobraVenom" is a Super Cobra product proposed to the British Army.

Likewise, Romania received the development of the AH-1RO, and the AH-1Z "King Cobra" was destined for Turkey (existing AH-1 users) to meet the requirements of the ATAK attack helicopter program.

Iran procured a batch of AH-1 Super Cobras, and U.S.-Iranian political relations continued until the shah was overthrown in 1979. These were subsequently upgraded to the Panha 2091 and eventually evolved into the modern Iranian Army IAIO "Toufan" series, which more or less looked like Super Cobras, albeit with Iranian avionics and weapons inside.

The primary US operator of the AH-1 SuperCobra is the US Marine Corps. The aircraft is used by the HMLA-167, HMLA-169, HMLA-269, HMLA-367, HMLA-369, HMLA-467, HMLA-469, HMLA-773 and HMLAT-303 groups.

Bell AH-1 Super Cobra Specs

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes