Bell AH-1 SuperCobra

AH-1 SeaCobra / SuperCobra
A USMC AH-1W taking off from USS Bataan
Role Attack helicopter
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
First flight AH-1J: 1969
Introduction AH-1J: 1971, AH-1W: 1986
Status In service
Primary users United States Marine Corps
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Republic of China Army
Turkish Army
Produced AH-1J/T/W: 1970–1980s
Number built 1,271+
Unit cost
AH-1W: US$10.7 million[1]
Developed from Bell AH-1 Cobra
Variants Bell AH-1Z Viper
Bell YAH-63/Bell 409
Panha 2091

The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the United States Army's single-engine AH-1 Cobra. The twin Cobra family, itself part of the larger Huey family, includes the AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra. The AH-1W has been the backbone of the United States Marine Corps's attack helicopter fleet, but is being replaced by the Bell AH-1Z Viper.

Design and development

The AH-1 Cobra was developed in the mid-1960s as an interim gunship for the U.S. Army for use during the Vietnam War. The Cobra shared the proven transmission, rotor system, and the T53 turboshaft engine of the UH-1 "Huey".[2] By June 1967, the first AH-1G HueyCobras had been delivered. Bell built 1,116 AH-1Gs for the U.S. Army between 1967 and 1973, and the Cobras chalked up over a million operational hours in Vietnam.[2]

The U.S. Marine Corps was very interested in the AH-1G Cobra, but it preferred a twin-engine version for improved safety in over-water operations, and also wanted a more potent turret-mounted weapon. At first, the Department of Defense had balked at providing the Marines with a twin-engine version of the Cobra, in the belief that commonality with Army AH-1Gs outweighed the advantages of a different engine fit. However, the Marines won out and awarded Bell a contract for 49 twin-engine AH-1J SeaCobras in May 1968. As an interim measure, the U.S. Army passed on 38 AH-1Gs to the Marines in 1969.[3] The AH-1J also received a more powerful gun turret. It featured a three barrel 20 mm XM197 cannon that was based on the six barrel M61 Vulcan cannon.[4]

An AH-1T Sea Cobra launching from the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima.

The Marine Corps requested greater load carrying capability in high temperatures for the Cobra in the 1970s. Bell used systems from its Model 309 to develop the AH-1T. This version had a lengthened tailboom and fuselage with an upgraded transmission and engines from the 309. Bell designed the AH-1T to be more reliable and easier to maintain in the field. The version was given full TOW missile capability with targeting system and other sensors. An advanced version, known as the AH-1T+ with more powerful T700-GE-700 engines and advanced avionics was proposed to Iran in the late 1970s, but the overthrow of the Shah of Iran resulted in the sale being canceled.[4]

In the early 1980s, the U.S. Marine Corps sought a new navalized helicopter, but it was denied funding to buy the AH-64 Apache by Congress in 1981. The Marines in turn pursued a more powerful version of the AH-1T. Other changes included modified fire control systems to carry and fire AIM-9 Sidewinder and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The new version was funded by Congress and received the AH-1W designation.[4] Deliveries of AH-1W SuperCobras totaled 179 new-built helicopters plus 43 upgrades of AH-1Ts.[5]

The AH-1T+ demonstrator and AH-1W prototype were later tested with a new experimental composite four-blade main rotor system. The new system offered better performance, reduced noise and improved battle damage tolerance. Lacking a USMC contract, Bell developed this new design into the AH-1Z with its own funds. By 1996, the Marines were again not allowed to order the AH-64.[4] Developing a marine version of the Apache would have been expensive and it was likely that the Marine Corps would be its only customer.[2] They instead signed a contract for upgrading AH-1Ws into AH-1Zs.[4]

The Bell AH-1Z Viper features several design changes. The AH-1Z's two redesigned wing stubs are longer with each adding a wingtip station for a missile such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Each wing has two other stations for 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra rocket pods, or AGM-114 Hellfire quad missile launcher. The Longbow radar can be mounted on a wingtip station.[2] The AH-1W version will be phased out of the Marine Corps by 2020.[6]

Operational history

United States

A Super cobra flies past USS Fort McHenry during a Search and Seizure (VBSS) drill

During the closing months of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps embarked the AH-1J SeaCobra assigned to HMA-369 (now HMLA-369) aboard Denver, Cleveland, and later Dubuque, for sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in North Vietnam in the vicinity of Hon La (Tiger) Island. These were termed Marine Hunter-Killer (MARHUK) Operations and lasted from June to December 1972.[7]

Marine Cobras took part in the invasion of Grenada, during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983, flying close-support and helicopter escort missions. Two Marine AH-1Ts were shot down and three crew members killed.[4] The Marines also deployed the AH-1 off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon in 1983, during that nation's civil war. The AH-1s were armed with Sidewinder missiles and guns as an emergency air defense measure against the threat of light civil aircraft employed by suicide bombers.[8]

USMC Cobras provided escort in the Persian Gulf in the late 1980s while the Iran–Iraq War was ongoing. The Cobras sank three Iranian patrol boats while losing one AH-1T to Iranian anti-aircraft fire.[4] USMC Cobras from Saipan flew "top cover" during an evacuation of American and other foreign nationals from Liberia in 1990.[4]

During the Gulf War, 78 Marine SuperCobras deployed, and flew a total of 1,273 sorties in Iraq[9] with no combat losses. However, three AH-1s were lost to accidents during and after the combat operations. The AH-1W units were credited with destroying 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, and two anti-aircraft artillery sites during the 100-hour ground campaign.[4]

U.S. Marine AH-1W SuperCobras refuel in April 2003, during the invasion of Iraq.

Marine Cobras provided support for the US humanitarian intervention in Somalia, during Operation Restore Hope in 1992–93. They were also employed during the U.S. invasion of Haiti in 1994. USMC Cobras were used in U.S. military interventions in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and two AH-1Ws assisted in the rescue of USAF Captain Scott O'Grady, after his F-16 was shot down by a SAM in June 1995.[10]

AH-1 Cobras continue to operate with the U.S. Marine Corps. USMC Cobras were also used in operations throughout the 1990s.[4] USMC Cobras have also served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the conflict in Iraq. While new replacement aircraft were considered as an alternative to major upgrades of the AH-1 fleet, Marine Corps studies showed that an upgrade was the most affordable, most supportable and most effective solution for the Marine Corps light attack helicopter mission.[11]

During the March 2003 Iraq campaign, 46 of 58 USMC Cobras took battle damage, mostly from infantry-type weapons.[12]

On 19 September 2011, an AH-1W crashed during training exercises at Camp Pendleton, California, killing the two Marine crewmembers on board.[13] An investigation into the crash determined that it was caused by bird strike.[14] The aircraft collided with a red-tailed hawk, the impact damaging the pitch change link which in turn produced vibrations to the rotors so fierce that they caused the transmission and rotors to break off from the helicopter body.[14]

In late August 2016, Marine AH-1W Cobras flying from the USS Wasp started flying combat missions over Sirte, Libya against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Libya, providing close air support for friendly militias on the ground.[15]

Iran

In 1971, Iran purchased 202 of an improved AH-1J, named "AH-1J International", from the United States.[16] This improved Cobra featured an uprated P&WC T400-WV-402 engine and stronger drivetrain. Recoil damping gear was fitted to the 20 mm M-197 gun turret, and the gunner was given a stabilized sight and even a stabilized chair. Of the AH-1Js delivered to the Shah's Imperial Iranian Army Aviation, 62 were TOW-capable.[17]

An AH-1J of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation in flight

Iranian AH-1Js participated in the Iran–Iraq War—which saw the most intensive use of helicopters in any conventional war.[18] Iranian AH-1Js (particularly the TOW-capable ones) were "exceptionally effective" in anti-armor warfare, inflicting heavy losses on Iraqi armored and vehicle formations. In operations over the barren terrain in Khuzestan and later in southern Iraq, beside the standard tactics, Iranian pilots developed special, effective tactics, often in the same manner as the Soviets did with their Mi-24s.[19][20] Due to the post-Revolution weapons sanctions, Iranians had to make do with what was at hand: they equipped the Cobras with AGM-65 Maverick missiles and used them with some success.[21][22][23]

Starting from October 1980, the AH-1Js engaged in air-to-air combat with Iraqi Mil Mi-24 helicopters on several, separate occasions during the Iran–Iraq War. The results of these engagements are disputed. One document cited that Iranian AH-1Js took on Iraqi Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters.[24] Sources report that the Iranian AH-1 pilots achieved a 10:1 kill ratio over the Iraqi helicopter pilots during these engagements (1:5). Additionally, one source states that ten Iranian AH-1Js were lost in the war, compared to six Iraqi Mi-24s lost. The skirmishes are described as fairly evenly matched in another source.[25] The Mi-24 was faster and more powerful, but the AH-1J was more agile.[21] There were even engagements between Iranian AH-1Js and Iraqi fixed-wing aircraft. The AH-1Js scored three confirmed kills against MiG-21s, claimed a Su-20, and shared in the destruction of a MiG-23—all using their 20 mm M197 cannon.[26] About half of the AH-1Js were lost during the conflict to combat, accidents, and simple wear and tear.[21] Ali Akbar Shiroodi and Ahmad Keshvari were two distinguished Iranian Cobra pilots during Iran-Iraq War and are considered wartime heroes in Iran.

In 1988, two Soviet MiG-23s shot down a pair of Iranian AH-1Js[27] that had strayed into western Afghan airspace.

Iranian AH-1Js are in service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation and have undergone indigenous upgrade programs.

Taiwan

In 1984, the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced a requirement for attack helicopters and evaluated the MBB Bo 105 and MD 500 helicopters. The requirement formed into an order for 42 AH-1W SuperCobras by 1992. Deliveries of these went from 1993–1997. Another 21 AH-1Ws was ordered in 1997. The Ministry of National Defense assigned the helicopters to the ROC Army Aviation Training Centre and two Army Aviation attack helicopter brigades.[28]

Turkey

Turkey bought ten AH-1W SuperCobras in the early 1990s, and supplemented with 32 ex-US Army AH-1 Cobras.[28] The AH-1s have been used against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels.[29] In late 2011, Turkey requested the purchase of three AH-1Ws from the USMC inventory.[30][31]

On May 13, 2016, PKK militants shot down a Turkish Army AH-1W SuperCobra using a 9K38 Igla (SA-18 Grouse) MANPADS. In the published video, the missile severed the tail section from the rest of the helicopter, causing it to spin, fragment in midair and crash, killing the two pilots on board. The Turkish government initially claimed that it fell due to technical failure, it later became obvious that it had been shot down'.[32]

Variants

Single-engine

For AH-1G, AH-1Q through AH-1S/P/E/F and other single-engine variants, see Bell AH-1 Cobra.

Twin-engine

AH-1W on a training mission at the Mojave Spaceport
AH-1J SeaCobra
Original twin engine version.
AH-1J International
Export version of the AH-1J SeaCobra.
AH-1T Improved SeaCobra
Improved version with extended tailboom and fuselage and an upgraded transmission and engines.
AH-1W SuperCobra
("Whiskey Cobra"), day/night version with more powerful engines and advanced weapons capability.
AH-1(4B)W Viper
"Four-Bladed Whiskey" test version with a four-bladed bearingless composite main rotor based on Bell 680 rotor. A prototype was converted from AH-1T 161022.[33]
AH-1Z Viper
A new variant nicknamed "Zulu Cobra", and developed in conjunction with the UH-1Y Venom for the H-1 upgrade program. The variant includes an upgraded four-blade main rotor and adds the Target Sight System (TSS).
Bell 309 KingCobra
Experimental all-weather version based on the AH-1G single-engine and AH-1J twin-engine designs.[34] Two Bell 309s were produced; the first was powered by a PW&C T400-CP-400 Twin-Pac engine set and the second was powered by a Lycoming T-55-L-7C engine.[35]
CobraVenom
Proposed version for the United Kingdom.[2]
AH-1RO Dracula
Proposed version for Romania.[36]
AH-1Z King Cobra
AH-1Z offered for Turkey's ATAK program; selected for production in 2000, but later canceled when Bell and Turkey could not reach an agreement on production.[37]
Panha 2091
Unlicensed Iranian upgrade of AH-1J International.
IAIO Toufan
Iranian copy / re-manufactured AH-1J International by Iran Aviation Industries Organization, with locally sourced avionics, and weapons.

Operators

An AH-1W Super Cobra with the Taiwanese Army
 Iran
 Republic of China (Taiwan)
 Turkey
An AH-1W provides close air support during training exercise
 United States

Aircraft on display

Specifications

AH-1J SeaCobra

Data from Verier,[51] Modern Fighting Aircraft,[52]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

AH-1W SuperCobra

Head-on view of a USMC AH-1W carrying full armament

Data from Verier,[51] Modern Fighting Aircraft,[52] International Directory of Military Aircraft[53]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ↑ AH-1W Cobra, USMC HQ, archived from the original on 16 August 2007, retrieved 2007-09-11
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Donald 2004.
  3. ↑ Marine AH-1J SeaCobra Archived 7 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine.. vectorsite.net,
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Bishop 2006.
  5. ↑ Eden, Paul, ed. "Bell AH-1 HueyCobra". Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
  6. ↑ US Navy orders 28 H-1s as Army seeks more UH-72s – Flightglobal.com, 14 March 2016
  7. ↑ Verier 1990, pp. 104–111.
  8. ↑ John Pike (1992-04-06). "AH-1W Air Combat Maneuver Training – Why It Must Be Reinstated". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  9. ↑ AH-1 Super Cobra, U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2 January 2008. Archived 5 November 2004 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  11. ↑ "PMA-276 – USMC Light/Attack Helicopter Upgrade Program". Headquarters Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
  12. ↑ John Gordon IV et al. Assessment of Navy Heavy-Lift Aircraft Options p87. RAND Corporation, 2005. Accessed: 18 March 2012. ISBN 0-8330-3791-9 Quote: "46 of 58 USMC Cobras) took battle damage, mostly from infantry-type weapons, such as machine guns, RPGs, and small arms fire."
  13. ↑ Loewy, Tom. "Galesburg Marine killed during training exercise – Peoria, IL". pjstar.com. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  14. 1 2 "Bird strike caused fatal US Marine helicopter crash in California: investigators". NYPOST.com. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  15. ↑ U.S. Marines use Cobra attack helicopters to strike ISIS in Libya – Militarytimes.com, 22 August 2016
  16. ↑ John Pike. "Iranian Ground Forces Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  17. ↑ Pike, John. . globalsecurity.org
  18. ↑ Williams, Anthony G.; Gustin, Emmanuel (2004). Flying Guns of the Modern Era. Marlborough: Crowood Press. p. 171. ISBN 9781861266552.
  19. ↑ Bishop, Tom Cooper & Farzad (2000). Iran-Iraq War in the air, 1980–1988. Atglen: Schiffer Pub. p. 288. ISBN 9780764316692.
  20. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  21. 1 2 3 http://www.airvectors.net/avcobra_2.html
  22. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  23. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  24. ↑ Brady, Major R.M. "AH-1W Air Combat Maneuver Training – Why It Must Be Reinstated", 1992.
  25. ↑ "Arabian Peninsula & Persian Gulf Database", ACIG Journal.
  26. ↑ Williams, Anthony G.; Gustin, Emmanuel (2004). Flying Guns of the Modern Era. Marlborough: Crowood Press. p. 172. ISBN 9781861266552.
  27. ↑ "Soviet Air-to-Air Victories of the Cold War" ACIG Journal, 23 October 2008.
  28. 1 2 Donald 2004, p. 195.
  29. ↑ Bishop 2006, p. 42.
  30. ↑ "U.S. giving Turkey 3 helicopters". UPI
  31. ↑ Allport, Dave. "Turkey To Acquire Three ex-USMC AH-1W Super Cobras". Key Publishing, 31 October 2011.
  32. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/14/kurdish-militants-just-challenged-turkish-air-power-in-a-major-way/
  33. ↑ "Bell AH-1(4B)W Viper (United States), Aircraft – Rotary-Wing – Military". Jane's Information Group, 15 July 1992. Retrieved: 9 August 2011.
  34. ↑ Verier 1990, p. 57.
  35. ↑ Richardson 1987, pp. 8–9.
  36. ↑ IAR (BELL) AH-1RO DRACULA (Romania). Jane's Information Group, 15 June 2000.
  37. ↑ "Back to square one in attack helicopter plan". Turkish Daily News, 2 December 2006.
  38. ↑ "World Air Forces 1977 pg. 52". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  39. 1 2 3 4 "World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  40. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 HML/A-167 "Warriors"". tripod.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  41. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-169 [HMLA-169]". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  42. ↑ "Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-269 [HML/A-267]". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  43. ↑ "Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-269 [HML/A-269]". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  44. ↑ "MARINE LIGHT ATTACK HELICOPTER SQUADRON 367 HMLA-367 "Scarface"". tripod.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  45. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-369 [HMLA-369]". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  46. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 HMLA-467 Sabers". tripod.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  47. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 HMLA-469 "Vengeance"". tripod.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  48. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-773 [HMLA-773]". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  49. ↑ "Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 HMLA/T-303 "Atlas"". tripod.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  50. ↑ Bell AH-1J SeaCobra display. prairieaviationmuseum.org
  51. 1 2 Verier 1990, p. 184.
  52. 1 2 Richardson 1987, p. Appendix.
  53. ↑ Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Military Aircraft, p. 148. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
  54. ↑ Marine helicopters deploy with laser-guided rocket Archived 3 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. – NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 17 April 2012
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