High Gallery
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U. S. Military Aircraft
Bell AH-1 SEA COBRA
Photo by Bell |
| When the US Army introduced the AH-1 Huey Cobra gunship helicopter in June 1967, The US Marine Corps was soon interested in an adaptation of the type for the close support role with twin engines providing improved performance and flight safety. The resulting AH-1J Sea Cobra first flew in October 1969, and orders for 69 helicopters for the marines were boosted by an Iranian requirement for 202 similar helicopters with capability for TOW anti tank missiles. The Marines then ordered 57 AH-1T helicopters with greater power, a number of airframe and dynamic system improvements and , in 51 of the type, TOW missiles. The definitive model is the AH-1W which flew in 1986 with much greater power and a number of system improvements to make the type a more capable multi role type. The marines wish to procure 121 of the type and Upgrade all surviving AH-1T's to this standard. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
|
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter TEXTRON, Inc. (Prime), General Electric, Kollsman Inc. |
Height: 14 ft. 2 in. |
| First Flight: October 1969 | Empty Weight: 8,030 lb. |
| Model: AH-1T | Max. Weight: 14,000 lb. |
| Crew: Two | Armament: One 20-mm multi barrel cannon and a significant weight of stores. |
| Nickname: Seacobra |
Dimensions |
| Basic Role: Shipborne & land base close support& anti-tank | Main Rotor Diameter: 48 ft. 0 in. |
| Other Versions: AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W |
Length Overall Rotor Turning: 58 ft. 0 in. |
| Principal User: Iran & United States | Main Rotor Disk Area: 1,809.56 sq. ft. |
|
Performance |
Propulsion |
| Range: 261 miles. | Power Plant: Pratt and Whitney Canada T400-WV-402 |
| Max. Speed: 172 mph. | Horsepower: 1,970-shp (1,469kW) |
| Ceiling: 7,400 ft. | No. Of Engines: One |
| Climb Rate: 1,785 ft. per minute. |