Bell AH-1 Cobra / HueyCobra (Bell 209) Attack Helicopter (1967)
The Bell AH-1 HueyCobra series stepped in when the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne bowed out.
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. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Bell AH-1 Cobra / HueyCobra (Bell 209)
Attack Helicopter
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron - USA
Initial Year of Service: 1967
Production: 1,116
Focus Model: Bell AH-1F Cobra (Bell 209)
Crew: 2
Length: 44.59ft (13.59m)
Width: 44.00ft (13.41m)
Height: 13.42ft (4.09m)
Weight (Empty): 6,598lbs (2,993kg)
Weight (MTOW): 9,998lbs (4,535kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Textron Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft generating 1,800 shaft horsepower while driving a two-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor.
Maximum Speed: 141mph (227kmh; 123kts)
Maximum Range: 315miles (507km)
Service Ceiling: 12,198ft (3,718m; 2.3miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 1,620 feet per minute (494m/min)
Hardpoints: 4
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm three-barrel cannon in powered chin turret.
OPTIONAL:
1 x 7.62mm minigun in powered chin turret
1 x 7.62mm minigun with 1 x 40mm automatic grenade launcher in powered chin turret.
8 x TOW anti-tank missiles (quad launchers on outboard wingstub hardpoints.
4 x 2.75" 7-shot rocket pods OR grouped tube launchers.
4 x 2.75" 19-shot rocket pods
4 x 7.62mm machine gun pods
2 x 20mm XM-35 Gatling cannon
TESTED:
Hellfire anti-tank missiles
Variants:
Model 209 - Bell Company Model Designation
AH-1G "HueyCobra" - Initial Production Model Designation based on the Bell 209 prototype; fitted with 1 x Avco Lycoming T53-13 turboshaft engine.
JAH-1G - Developmental Model for testing of Hellfire anti-tank missile and Gatling cannon.
TH-1G -Two-Seat Trainer
Z.14 - Spanish Export Model based on the AH-1G
YAH-1Q - Developmental Model fitted with 2 x M56 TOW anti-tank missile launchers and XM26 Telescopic Sight; eight conversions completed.
AH-1Q - M65 TOW/Cobra missile support; M65 Telescopic Sight Unit; M37 Reflex Sight.
YAH-1R - Sans TOW missile support; fitted with 1 x T53-L-703 turboshaft engine.
YAH-1S - Upgraded Model; TOW missile support
AH-1S "Improved" / "MOD" - Based on the AH-1Q; fitted with 1 x T53-L-703 turboshaft engine of 1,800 shaft horsepower.
AH-1P "Production" / "PROD" - Based on the AH-1S; modernized Cobra; composite rotor systems; revise cockpits; flat canopy glass; 100 examples delivered.
AH-1E "Upgunned" / "ECAS" - Based on the AH-1S; fitted with Enhanced Cobra Armament Systems; M197 20mm Gatling cannon; M147 Rocket Management System for 70mm rocket support; 98 examples delivered.
AH-1F "Modernized" / "MC" - Based on the AH-1G production model; fitted with laser range finder, IR jammer, IR suppression and M143 Air Data Subsystem
QAH-1S - Target Drone based on the AH-1S production model
Model 249 - Technology Demonstrator; fitted with four-bladed main rotor system; improved turboshaft engine; Hellfire anti-tank missile support.
Model 309 "KingCobra" - Prototype Development Airframe; one example fitted with 1 x Lycoming T-55-L-7C turboshaft engine; two examples produced.
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