AH-1 Huey Cobra HelicopterThe development of the first attack helicopter grew out of experience with the modified armed utility helicopters. Bell Helicopter designed the AH-1 Cobra based on the best features of the U.S. Army UH-1 "Huey" to meet the Army's requirements for direct aerial fire support, armed escort, and reconnaissance.
AH-1 Huey Cobra HelicopterThe Huey Cobra (or just Cobra) uses the basic transmission, modified "540" rotor system, and power plant of the UH-1C, a streamlined fuselage using many parts in common with the UH-1D tail boom and body, combined with the nose components from the experimental Bell (Model 207) Sioux Scout. The Bell (Model 209) AH-1F was delivered in March 1965 and deployed to Vietnam starting in September 1967 to partly replace the UH-1 Huey in its gun ship capacity. The upgraded AH-1G Cobra featured a computerized stability-augmentation system, and was powered by a single Lycoming T53-L-13B 1400 shp engine. The AH-1 Cobra is distinguished by its wide-bladed rotor and slim fuselage that give it twice the speed of the UH-1B "Huey" and the ability to loiter over the target area three times as long. Other improvements were the armament system and the tandem seating of the two crew members arranged in a 38 inch width, a much smaller target than the 100 inch wide UH-1 "Huey". In addition to a 7.62mm machine gun, armament of the AH-1G Cobra, or "Snake", has had numerous options:
The Army utilized AH-1F, G, E, P and S Cobra models. The Marine Corps flew the AH-1G, AH-1J, and AT-1T, upgraded to the AH-1W Super Cobra in 1986.
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