The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra attack helicopter represents an evolved, twin-engine variant of the original Vietnam War-era AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter line.
The AH-1 "SuperCobra" is a further evolution of the original Vietnam War-era AH-1 "Cobra" born in the 1960s. The SuperCobra is differentiated primarily by its twin-engine configuration compared to the single-engine nature of the Cobra system. The SuperCobra achieved its first flight in 1969 and entered service (as the AH-1J) in 1971. This was followed by the modernized AH-1W in 1986. To date, some 1,270 examples have been produced and the type stocks the inventories of the United States (Marines), the Iranian Army, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey. The AH-1W is being superseded by the newer AH-1Z "Viper" standard.
Outwardly, the SuperCobra family retains much of the external appearance of the original Cobra design including its two-person, stepped cockpit creating a slim profile when viewed from the front. The powered, chin-mounted turret has also been carried over as had the Cobra's fixed, skid landing equipment. The pilot is seated in the rear, elevated cockpit with the weapon's officer in the front cockpit (flight and weapons controls are doubled). The engine pairing drives a two-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor (the latter affixed to the starboard side of the vertical tail fin. Like the Cobra, the SuperCobra can undertake a variety of battlefield roles that go beyond its base anti-armor capabilities. It can be used in close support of friendly forces, support special forces operations and provide security for convoys. Armed reconnaissance allows the aircraft to both track and engage unsuspecting foes at range through cannon fire, rockets and missiles.
The SuperCobra is outfitted with a 20mm M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon fitted to a powered M97 turret assembly under the nose as standard. This system is afforded 750 rounds of 20mm projectiles. The SuperCobra is also cleared to fire 2.75" (70mm) Mk 40 or Hydra 70 series rockets from multiple-shot pods. It can replace these with the larger 5" (127mm) "Zuni" series rockets fired from four-shot LAU-10D/A series launcher systems. Anti-armor sorties are managed by TOW missile launchers (four-shot launchers) and AGM-114 "Hellfire" anti-tank missiles (M272 launchers). MIssiles are limited to the outboard underwing hardpoint. To counter low-flying aerial threats, the platform can also field the AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missile at each wingtip. External fuel tanks can also be fitted to help improved operational ranges.
The AH-1J SeaCobra was fitted with a single Pratt & Whitney Canada T400-CP-400 series turboshaft engine (PT6T-3 "Twin Pac") of 1,800 shaft horsepower driving a two-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor. This provided the mount a top speed of 220 miles per hour, a cruising speed of 175 miles per hour, a range of 360miles and a service ceiling of 10,500 feet. Rate-of-climb was listed at 1,090 feet per minute.
The newer AH-1W SuperCobra sported 2 x General Electric T700-401 turboshaft engines for an output of 1,690 shaft horsepower each. This arrangement also drove a two-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor. Straight line performance remained the same though range was increased to 365 miles, the service ceiling raised to 12,200 feet and rate-of-climb increased to 1,620 feet per minute.
The Model 309 "King Cobra" was a development based on previous AH-1 offerings intended for all-weather operation. Two prototypes were eventually produced, each with differing engines. The "CobraVenom" was a SuperCobra offering proposed to the British Army. Similarly, Romania was showcased the AH-1RO development and the AH-1Z "King Cobra" was destined for Turkey (existing AH-1 users) to fulfill its ATAK attack helicopter program requirement.
Iran procured a stock of AH-1 SuperCobras while the United States and Iran held a political relationship leading up to the fall of the Shah in 1979. These were then upgraded under the Panha 2091 designation and eventually evolved into the modern Iranian Army IAIO "Toufan" series which more or less appears as a SuperCobra though internally outfitted with Iranian avionics and weaponry.
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October 2020 - The United States Marine Corps has retired its last AH-1W Super Cobra example.
Specifications
Bell Helicopter Textron - USA Manufacturer(s)
South Korea; Taiwan; Turkey; United States Operators
GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
MARITIME / NAVY
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
45.5 ft (13.87 meters) Length
47.9 ft (14.60 meters) Width/Span
14.6 ft (4.44 meters) Height
10,919 lb (4,953 kilograms) Empty Weight
14,749 lb (6,690 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
+3,829 lb (+1,737 kg) Weight Difference
2 x General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines developing 1,723 shaft horsepower while driving two-blade main and two-blade tail rotors. Propulsion
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