The AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter

What is it?

The AH-1W is an attack helicopter used for fire support, security for forward and rear-area forces, attacking enemy armor and air forces, supporting other weapons, and reconaissance.

Who makes it?

Bell Helicopter Textron of Fort Worth, Texas.

What are the statistics?

  • Engines: twin General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines, pushing 2082 horsepower (in its full capacity) and 1775 hp otherwise.
  • Length: 58 feet (17.67 meters)
  • Height: 13.7 feet (4.17 meters)
  • Rotor Diameter: 48 feet (14.62 meters)
  • Speed: 147 knots (169.05 miles per hour) in basic combat attack configuration.
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 14,750 pounds (6,696.50 kilograms)
  • Range: 256 nautical miles (294.4 miles) in basic combat attack configuration.
  • Ceiling: 18,700 feet (5,703.5 meters) limited to 10,000 feet (3,050 kilometers) by oxygen requirements.
  • Crew: 2 officers - 1 pilot, and 1 co-pilot/gunner.

What kind of weapons does it use?

    Some of the armaments you can add to the Super Cobra:

  • 20mm turreted cannon mounted in front of the helicopter
  • 70mm rockets with submunitions warheads
  • 12.7cm Zuni rocket bombs
  • Maverick air-to-ground missiles
  • ...And the Super Cobra was the first attack helicopter to support the SideWinder air-to-air missile and the SideArm anti-radiation (anti-RADAR) missiles. Neat, huh?

Sources:

  • The United States Marine Corps Fact File in http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/factfile.nsf/7e931335d515626a8525628100676e0c/a251c8116905c4b98525626d00777b4b?OpenDocument
  • Bell Helicopter Textron's brochure for the AH-1W in http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/content/products/MilitaryHelicopters/ah1w/productBrochure/page1.html