AH-1 Cobra - Citizendia

This article is about the single-engine models of the Bell Cobra family. For the twin-engine models, see AH-1 SuperCobra. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft.

AH-1 HueyCobra/Cobra
A Bell AH-1G HueyCobra
Type	Attack helicopter
Manufacturer	Bell Helicopter Textron
Maiden flight	1965-09-07
Introduction	1967
Status	Active service
Primary users	United States Army Japan Self Defense Forces Republic of Korea Army Israeli Air Force
Produced	1967-present
Number built	1,116
Developed from	UH-1 Iroquois
Variants	AH-1 SuperCobra Bell 309 KingCobra

The AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter manufactured by Bell. An attack helicopter, also known as a Helicopter Gunship, is a Military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing building testing selling and maintaining Aircraft, Aircraft parts Bell Helicopter Textron is an American Helicopter and Tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth Texas. The maiden flight of an Aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The, or JSDF, are the military forces in Japan that were established after the end of the post- World War II American occupation of Japan The Republic of Korea Army ( ROK Army, ROKA, Korean: 대한민국 육군 Hanja: 大韓民國陸軍 is by far the largest of the military branches The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout An attack helicopter, also known as a Helicopter Gunship, is a Military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground Bell Helicopter Textron is an American Helicopter and Tiltrotor manufacturer headquartered in Fort Worth Texas. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey"). An engine is a mechanical device that produces some form of output from a given input A helicopter rotor is the rotating part of a Helicopter which generates an aerodynamic Force. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. The AH-1 is also sometimes referred to as the "HueyCobra" or "Snake".

The AH-1 was once the backbone of the United States Army's attack helicopter fleet, but has been replaced by the AH-64 Apache in Army service. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Upgraded versions continue to fly with several other users. The AH-1 twin engine versions remain in service with United States Marine Corps as the service's primary attack helicopter. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft.

1 Development
2 Operational history
3 Variants
- 3.1 Single-engined:
- 3.2 Twin-engined:
4 Operators
- 4.1 Current operators
- 4.2 Former operators
5 Specifications
- 5.1 AH-1G HueyCobra
- 5.2 AH-1F "Modernized" Cobra
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

Development

Background

Closely related with the development of the Bell AH-1 is the story of the Bell UH-1 — predecessor of the modern helicopter, icon of the Vietnam War and still one of the most numerous helicopter types in service today. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

The UH-1 made the theory of air cavalry practical, as the new tactics called for US forces to be highly mobile across a wide area. The Cavalry (from French cavalerie) is the second oldest of the Combat Arms, and as Soldiers or Warriors who fought mounted on Unlike before, they would not stand and fight long battles, and they would not stay and hold positions. Instead, the plan was that the troops carried by fleets of Hueys would range across the country, to fight the enemy at times and places of their own choice.

It soon became clear that the unarmed UH-1 troop helicopters were vulnerable against ground fire from Việt Cộng and North Vietnamese troops, particularly as they came down to drop their troops in a landing zone. The Vietnam People's Army ( VPA) (Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam is the official name of the Armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Without friendly support from artillery or ground forces, the only way to pacify a landing zone was from the air, preferably with a machine that could closely escort the transport helicopters, and loiter over the landing zone as the battle progressed. By 1962 a small number of armed UH-1As were used as escorts, armed with multiple machine guns and rocket mounts. ^[1]

The massive expansion of American military presence in Vietnam opened a new era of war from the air. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The linchpin of US Army tactics were the helicopters, and the protection of those helicopters became a vital role. ^[2]

Bell 207 Sioux Scout

Bell Model 207 Sioux Scout

Main article: Bell 207

Bell had been investigating helicopter gunships since the late 1950s and revealed a mockup of its helicopter gunship concept, named "Iroquois Warrior" in 1962. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The design featured a long, slender body with stub wings and a two seat tandem cockpit. It was armed with a chin mounted grenade launcher. A 20 mm belly cannon and munition mount points on the stub wings were also planned. ^[3]

The U. S. Army was interested in the concept and awarded Bell a proof of concept contract in December 1962. The role of this new helicopter was to protect the troopships and to wield a full combat capability of its own. Bell's first design was built around a modified Model 47, leading to the sleek Model 207 Sioux Scout which first flew in July 1963. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[4]

The Sioux Scout had all the key features of a modern helicopter gunship – a tandem cockpit, stub wings for weapons, and a chin-mounted gun turret. A cockpit is the area usually near the front of an Aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft WING "ESPN 1410" is a commercial AM radio station in Dayton Ohio operating with 5000 watts at 1410 kHz with studios offices and transmitter located on David A gun turret is a device that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions After evaluating the Sioux Scout in early 1964, the Army was impressed, but also believed the Sioux Scout was too small, underpowered, unsophisticated, and fragile to be of practical use. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. ^[4]

AAFSS

Army's solution to the shortcomings of the Sioux Scout was to launch the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System (AAFSS) competition. ^[4]

The AAFSS requirement would give birth to the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne – a heavy battlefield helicopter that would prove to be over-ambitious, over-complex and over-budget, before being canceled 10 years later in 1972. The Lockheed Corporation (originally Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company was an American aerospace company founded in 1912 which merged with Martin Marietta WikipediaProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[4] The Cheyenne program developed future technology and demonstrated some impressive performance, but was never made to work as a functional gunship. It served to underline an important rule of the combat helicopter – survival would be ensured only by the right mix of speed, agility and weapons.

Model 209

Bell 209 prototype of the AH-1 Cobra series, with skids retracted (FAA no. N209J).

At the same time, despite the Army's preference for the AAFSS – for which Bell Helicopter was not selected to compete – Bell stuck with their own idea of a smaller and lighter gunship. ^[4] In January 1965 Bell invested $1 million to proceed with a new design. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

Mating the proven transmission, rotor system, and the T53 turboshaft engine of the UH-1 with the design philosophy of the Sioux Scout, Bell produced the Model 209. ^[4] Bell's Model 209 largely resembled its "Iroquois Warrior" mockup. ^[3]

In Vietnam, events were also advancing in favor of the Model 209. Attacks on US forces were increasing, and by the end of June 1965 there were already 50,000 US ground troops in Vietnam. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ^[4]

1965 was also the deadline for AAFSS selection, but the program was stuck in technical difficulties and political bickering. The U. S. Army needed an interim gunship for Vietnam and it asked five companies to provide a quick solution. Submissions came in for armed variants of the Boeing-Vertol ACH-47A, Kaman HH-2C Tomahawk, Piasecki 16H Pathfinder, Sikorsky S-61, and the Bell 209. Boeing Helicopters (now Boeing Rotorcraft Systems) is a US aircraft manufacturer part of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Kaman Aircraft is an American Aerospace company with headquarters in Bloomfield Connecticut. Piasecki Aircraft Corporation ( PiAC) was founded by the American vertical flight pioneer Frank Piasecki to continue pursuing the development of compound WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[4]

On 3 September 1965 Bell rolled out the prototype, and four days later it made its maiden flight, only eight months from the go-ahead. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. In April 1966, the Model 209 won an evaluation against the other rival helicopters. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Then the Army signed the first production contract for 110 aircraft. ^[4]

The Bell 209 demonstrator was used for the next six years to test weapons and fit of equipment. It had been modified to the match AH-1 production standard by the early 1970s. The demonstrator was retired to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, KY and converted to approximately its original appearance. ^[3]

Into production

The Bell 209 design was modified for production. The retractable skids were replaced by simpler fixed skids. A new wide-blade rotor was featured. For production, a plexiglass canopy replaced the 209's armored glass canopy which was heavy enough to harm performance. ^[3]

Operational history

Bell AH-1G in Vietnam

AH-1Q Cobra in Fort Hood, Texas

A late-model AH-1 Cobra at ILA 2006 in Berlin

By June 1967, the first AH-1G HueyCobras had been delivered. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Originally designated as UH-1H, the "A" for attack designation was soon adopted and when the improved UH-1D became the UH-1H, the HueyCobra became the AH-1G. ^[4] The AH-1 was initially considered a variant of the H-1 line, resulting in the G series letter.

Bell built 1,116 AH-1Gs for the US Army between 1967 and 1973, and the Cobras chalked up over a million operational hours in Vietnam. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ^[4]

The AH-1 Cobras were in use by the Army during the Tet offensive in 1968 and through the end of the Vietnam War. The Tet Offensive was a military campaign conducted between 30 January and 23 September 1968, by forces of the Vietcong, or National Front for The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Huey Cobras provided fire support for ground forces, escorted transport helicopters and other roles. They also formed "hunter killer" teams by pairing with OH-6A scout helicopters. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A team featured one OH-6 flying slow and low to find enemy forces. If the OH-6 drew fire, the Cobra could strike at the then revealed enemy. ^[3]

Huey Cobras supported U.S. Marine operations during 1983 invasion of Grenada. The Invasion of Grenada, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was an Invasion of the nation of Grenada, an island in the Caribbean Sea 100 miles north

During the Gulf War of 1990-91, the Cobras and SeaCobras deployed in a support role. The Marines deployed 91 SeaCobras and the Army 140 Cobras. Three AH-1s were lost in accidents during fighting and afterwards. ^[3] U. S. Cobras were also used in operations throughout the 1990s. ^[3]

Cobra helicopter gunships were also used widely by the Israeli Air Force in the 1982 Lebanon War to destroy Syrian armor and fortification. An attack helicopter, also known as a Helicopter Gunship, is a Military helicopter armed for attacking targets on the ground The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל The 1982 Lebanon War (מלחמת לבנון Milhemet Levanon) (الإجتياح Al-Ijtīāḥ, "the invasion" called by Israel the Operation Peace Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية IAF Cobras destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicles, including many of the modern Soviet T-72 main battle tanks. An armoured fighting vehicle ( AFV) is a military Vehicle, protected by armour and armed with Weapons Most AFVs are equipped for driving in rugged The T-72 is a Soviet -designed Main battle tank that entered production in 1971 Tank classification is a Taxonomy of identifying either the intended role or weight class of Tanks The classification by role was used primarily during

The Pakistan Army has also used the AH-1 as its primary gunship helicopter during the mid-1970s tribal uprising in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, where donated Iranian AH-1J were used against tribal insurgents. The Pakistan Army ( Urdu:) is the largest branch of the Pakistan military, and is mainly responsible for protection of the state borders the security of administered Balochistan, or Baluchistan, Pashto, ( Balochi, Hazara, Brahui, Sindhi, Urdu: بلوچستان The recent insurgencies in the Waziristan regions has seen Pakistani AH-1s seeing action against Taliban & Al Qaeda fighters and their tribal allies, as well as operations against insurgents in another more recent Baluch tribal uprising recently led by armed Bugti and Marri tribesmen under the late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and the Balochistan Liberation Army since the mid-2000s. The War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistani Army and Islamist militants made up by local tribesmen the Taliban and foreign extremists The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The Bugti (بگتی is a Baloch tribe located in Balochistan. They are divided into four clans Rahijas Kalpars Marri - Bugtis Marri or Murri is a Baloch tribe in Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti (نواب اکبر شہاز خان بگٹی ( July 12, 1927 – August 26, 2006) was the Tumandar (head The Baloch Liberation Army ( BLA) is a Militant Separatist organization

AH-1 Cobras continue to operate with the US military, by the US Marine Corps notably in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The US Army phased out the AH-1 during the 1990s and retired the AH-1 from active service in March 1999. ^[4]^[5] The Army retired the AH-1 from reserves in September 2001. The retired AH-1s have been passed to other nations and to the USDA Forest Service. ^[4]

The Israeli Air Force also operates the Cobra as the "Tzefa" (צפע), Hebrew for Viper,^[6] with highly favorable reviews. The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל

In 2003, the US Forest Service acquired 25 retired AH-1Fs from the US Army. ^[4] These have been designated Bell 209 and are being converted into Firewatch Cobras with infared and low light sensors and systems for real time fire monitoring. ^[7]^[8] The Florida Department of Forestry has also acquired 3 AH-1Ps from US Army. These are called Bell 209 "Firesnakes" and are equipped to carry a water/fire retardant system. ^[4]

Variants

Single-engined:

JGSDF AH-1S

U. S. Forest Service Bell 209 on the Bar Complex Fire in California. USFS photo.

Bell 209: Original AH-1G prototype with retractable skid landing gear. This model number is also used by the FAA for the civilian registration of former U. S. Army AH-1s used in firefighting service.

AH-1G HueyCobra: Initial 1966 production model gunship for the US Army, with one 1,400shp Avco Lycoming T53-13 turboshaft.
JAH-1G HueyCobra: One helicopter for armament testing including Hellfire missiles and multi-barrel cannon. ^[9]
TH-1G HueyCobra: Two-seat dual-control trainer. ^[9]
Z. 14 HueyCobra: Spanish Navy designation of the AH-1G. ^[9]
YAH-1Q: Eight AH-1Gs with XM26 Telescopic Sight Unit (TSU) and two M56 TOW 4-pack launchers. ^[3]
AH-1Q HueyCobra: Equipped with the M65 TOW/Cobra missile subsystem, M65 Telescopic Sight Unit (TSU), and M73 Reflex sight. The BGM-71 TOW is a US Anti-tank guided missile. TOW Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-to-command-Link guided Missile Set All future versions will be equipped with the TSU and be equipped to fire the TOW missile subsystem.
YAH-1R: AH-1G powered by a T53-L-703 engine without TOW system. ^[3]
YAH-1S: AH-1Q upgrade and TOW system. ^[3]

AH-1S: The baseline AH-1S is an AH-1Q upgraded with a 1,800 shp T53-L-703 turboshaft engine. The AH-1S is also referred to as the "Improved AH-1S", "AH-1S Modified", or "AH-1S(MOD)" prior to 1988. (Prior to 1988, all upgraded aircraft were referred to as variants of the AH-1S. )
AH-1P: 100 production aircraft with composite rotors, flat plate glass cockpit, and improved cockpit layout for nap-of-earth (NOE) flight. The AH-1P is also referred to as the "Production AH-1S", or "AH-1S(PROD)" prior to 1988. These improvements are considered Step 1 of the AH-1S upgrade program.
AH-1E: 98 production aircraft with the Enhanced Cobra Armament System (ECAS) featuring the M97A1 armament subsystem with a three-barreled M197 20 mm cannon. The AH-1E is also referred to as the "Upgunned AH-1S", or "AH-1S(ECAS)" prior to 1988. These improvements are considered Step 2 of the AH-1S upgrade program. AH-1E aircraft did not have the M147 Rocket Management Subsystem (RMS) and were unable to fire 2. 75 inch rockets. ^[3]
AH-1F: 143 production aircraft and 387 converted AH-1G Cobras. The AH-1F incorporates all Step 1 and 2 upgrades to the AH-1S as well as a return of the M147 RMS, an M143 Air Data Subsystem (ADS), a laser rangefinder and tracker, an infrared jammer mounted above the engine exhaust, and an infrared suppressing engine exhaust system. The AH-1F is also referred to as the "Modernized AH-1S", "AH-1S Modernized Cobra", or "AH-1S(MC)" prior to 1988.

Model 249: Experimental demonstrator version fitted with a four-bladed rotor system, an uprated engine and experimental equipment, including Hellfire missiles. ^[3]
Bell 309 KingCobra: Experimental version powered by one Lycoming T-55-L-7C engine. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout ^[10]

Twin-engined:

For AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, AH-1Z and other twin-engine variants, see AH-1 SuperCobra. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft.

Operators

See also: AH-1 SuperCobra for operators of AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W, AH-1Z and other twin-engine variants. For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft.

Current operators

Three Israeli AH-1F Cobras over Masada

USFS Bell 209 at Fox Field during the California wildfires of October 2007

Bahrain

Bahrain Air Force acquired 24 AH-1Ps and 6 TAH-1P trainers. General William J Fox Airfield, locally known as "Fox Field" is an airport located in Lancaster California serving the Antelope Valley region of The Kingdom of Bahrain (in مملكة البحرين,, literally Kingdom of the Two Seas) is an Island country in the Persian Gulf The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF was formerly known as Bahrain Amiri Air Force (BAAF but since the elections of 14 February 2002, the state ^[3]

Israel

Israeli Air Force has approximately 40 AH-1F "Tzefa" צפע ("Viper") in use. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The Israeli Air Force ( IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm" commonly known as חיל ^[3]

Japan

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force received 2 AH-1Es^[3] and 89 AH-1S Cobras license-manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries from 1984 to 2000. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The, or JGSDF, is the Military ground force ( Army) of Japan The largest of the three services of the JSDF, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates or FHI, is a Japanese company which traces its origins to the Nakajima Aircraft Company (est Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ^[11]

Jordan

Jordanian Air Force received 24 AH-1Ss and 9 AH-1Fs. Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF (Arabic سلاح الجو الملكي الأردني, Transliterated Silah al-Jaw Almalaki al-Urduni in Arabic ^[3]

Pakistan

Pakistan Army ordered 20 AH-1S Cobras and received 10 of those in 1984 (later upgraded to AH-1F). Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and The Pakistan Army ( Urdu:) is the largest branch of the Pakistan military, and is mainly responsible for protection of the state borders the security of administered Ordered more AH-1Fs in 2004. ^[3] Currently has 20 AH-1S in use with 6 AH-1S Cobras being upgraded.

South Korea

Republic of Korea Army received 90 AH-1Fs (originally designated AH-1S). South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː The Republic of Korea Army ( ROK Army, ROKA, Korean: 대한민국 육군 Hanja: 大韓民國陸軍 is by far the largest of the military branches ^[3]

Thailand

Royal Thai Army received 4 AH-1Fs in 1990. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The Royal Thai Army is the Army of Thailand. It is the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. ^[3] The RTA. has 3 AH-1Fs in use as of 2004. ^[4]

Turkey

Turkish Army received 32 used AH-1P/S. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The Turkish Army ( Turkish: Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. These were upgraded to AH-1F standards. ^[4]

United States

U.S. Forest Service (25 AH-1Fs, converting to Bell 209 Firewatch Cobras)^[7]
Florida Department of Forestry {3 AH-1Ps, converting to Bell 209 "Firesnakes")^[4]

Former operators

Spain

Spanish Navy Received 8 AH-1G. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

United States

United States Army - Replaced by AH-64 Apache
United States Customs Service used a small number of AH-1Gs between 1981 and 1986
United States Marine Corps - used AH-1Gs prior to delivery of AH-1Js

Specifications

AH-1G HueyCobra

Data from Modern Military Aircraft^[12]

General characteristics

Crew: 2 - one pilot, one CPG (co-pilot/gunner)
Length: 44 ft 5 in (13. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Until March 2003 the United States Customs Service was the portion of the U 4 m)
Rotor diameter: 44 ft (13. 4 m)
Height: 13 ft 5 in (4. 1 m)
Empty weight: 6,073 lb (2,754 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 9,500 lb (4,309 kg)
Powerplant: 1× AVCO Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft, 1,100 shp (820 kW)
Rotor system: 2 blades on main rotor

Performance

Maximum speed: 190 knots (219 mph, 352 km/h)
Range: 310 nmi (357 mi, 574 km)
Service ceiling 11,400 ft (3,475 m)
Rate of climb: 1,230 ft/min (6. The Maximum Takeoff Weight or Maximum Takeoff Mass of an Aircraft is the maximum weight at which the pilot of the aircraft is allowed to attempt to take off Lycoming Engines' is an American Aircraft engine company known primarily for its General aviation Engines For most of its history Lycoming has been WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A turboshaft engine is a form of Gas turbine which is optimized to produce Shaft power, rather than Jet thrust. In Aviation, V-speeds or Velocity-speeds are standard terms used to define Airspeeds important or useful to the operation of Aircraft, such The maximal total range is the distance an Aircraft can fly between Takeoff and Landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft or cross-country In Aeronautics, a ceiling is the maximum Density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditions In Aerodynamics, the rate of climb RoC is the speed at which an Aircraft increases its Altitude. 25 m/s)

Armament

2 7. 62mm multi-barrel Miniguns, or 2 M129 40mm Grenade launchers, or one of each, in the M28 turret
2.75in (70mm) rockets - 7 rockets mounted in the M158 launcher or 19 rockets in the M200 launcher
M18 7. The minigun is a multi-barrel Machine gun with a high rate of fire (several thousand Rounds per minute) employing Gatling -style rotating barrels and an The M75 is a 40mm automatic Grenade launcher that was used primarily as an aircraft weapon in United States service and was one of the first weapons to use the high velocity The United States military has developed a number of Helicopter Armament Subsystems since the early 1960s The Mk 4 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket ( FFAR) is a 275 in (70 mm diameter unguided Rocket weapon commonly used by U The idea of the Gun pod as a concept largely came into its prime during and period following World War II. 62 mm Minigun pod or XM35 armament subsystem with XM195 20mm cannon

AH-1F "Modernized" Cobra