Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
1986 |
Crew |
2 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
13.87 m |
Main rotor diameter |
14.63
m |
Height |
4.32
m |
Weight (empty) |
4.6 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
6.69 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
2 x General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshafts |
Engine power |
2 x 1 725 shp |
Maximum speed |
282 km/h |
Cruising speed |
~ 250 km/h |
Service ceiling |
3.72 km |
Range |
587 - 635 km |
Armament |
Machine guns |
1 x three-barreled 20 mm cannon (750 rounds) |
Missiles |
8 x TOW or Hellfire anti-tank missiles, AIM-9
Sidewinder or AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, AGM-122 Sidearm
anti-radiation missiles, provision for AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground
missiles |
Other |
various pods with unguided rockets, cluster munitions, napalm
bombs |
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AH-1W Super
Cobra attack helicopter was developed by Bell for the US Marine
Corps (USMC). It evolved form the AH-1T and follows the general
outlines of the
AH-1 Cobra. The Super Cobra was adopted by the USMC in 1986
and is still in service. This gunship was used during the Persian
Gulf War. A total of 48 AH-1W attack helicopters were used during
that war. These gunships destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel
carriers, 16 bunkers and 2 anti-aircraft sites. Not a single USMC
helicopter was lost during that war.
The main
role of this attack helicopter is to provide close in fire support
for landing forces during amphibious assaults and subsequent land
operations. It also escorts transport helicopters with troops.
The Super
Cobra has a slim fuselage with a fighter-type cockpit. The pilot
sits high in the rear with a co-pilot/gunner lower in the front
directing the fire of a wide range of weapons mounted on lateral
stub wings or under the nose. The front seat also has a full set of
flight controls. The cockpit is surrounded by armor protection.
The AH-1W
Super Cobra can fly and provide fire support in both day and night
environment. Its avionics, engines and weapons were substantially
upgraded comparing with the previous version. It is
fitted with a night targeting system, which includes a
Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), low-light TV camera, laser
rangefinder and an autotrack system.
The Super
Cobra is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines,
developing 1 725 shp each. The second engine offers additional
backup, as in case of failure or damage, the helicopter can still
limp back home with one engine working. This gunship is extremely maneuverable.
It has a simple and tough landing skids instead of complex
retractable undercarriage.
There is a
turret under the nose of the helicopter. It is armed with a three-barreled 20 mm
cannon and carries 750 rounds of ammunition. The cannon fires at a
rate of 675 rounds per minute. The turret can pivot to both sides of
the helicopter, as well as up and down. This turret is controlled by
the co-pilot/gunner, seated at the front. Also the pilot in the rear
can fire the turret, if it is locked in the forward position. The
Super Cobra can carry additional pods with miniguns on stub wings.
The Super Cobra
is also armed with
Hellfire or
TOW
anti-tank guided missiles. It can actually carry both types of
missiles on the same mission. Other weapons of this helicopter are
pods with various unguided rockets, cluster munitions, various bombs,
AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-92 Stinger
short-range air-to-air missiles, and AGM-122
Sidearm anti-radiation missiles. This gunship also has provision for
AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles.
Fuel is contained within two
fuselage fuel cells. Up to 4 more external tanks with fuel can be
carried for extended range.
Variants
AH-1Z Viper is a recent version. It made its first flight in
2000 and was adopted by the US Marine Corps in 2010. Full-scale
production commenced in 2012. Currently it is one of the most
powerful, capable and advanced attack helicopters in the world. This
version features a four-bladed rotor, which reduced vibrations by up
to 70 percent and significantly improved flying characteristics.
Also there were many other changes. A number of AH-1W Super Cobras
are being upgraded to the AH-1Z standard. It is planned that the AH-1Z will serve
well into the 21st century.
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