AH-1 SuperCobra

AH-1 SuperCobra
General information
Origin	United States
Role	Attack helicopter
Manufacturer	Bell Helicopter
Users	Unidad
General characteristics
Crew	2 pilots
Length	53.5 ft (16.3 m)
Height	13.5 ft (4.1 m)
Loaded weight	6.610 lb (2.998 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed	175 mph (282 km/h)
Range	358 miles (576 km)
Armament	2 x RPG Rockets 1 x 20mm M197 cannon

AH-1 SuperCobra attack helicopter was developed by Bell for the US Marine Corps.

Overview

The main role of this attack helicopter is to provide close in fire support for landing forces during amphibious assaults and subsequent land operations. It also escorts transport helicopters with troops.

The Super Cobra has a slim fuselage with a fighter-type cockpit. The pilot sits high in the rear with a co-pilot/gunner lower in the front directing the fire of a wide range of weapons mounted on lateral stub wings or under the nose. The front seat also has a full set of flight controls. The cockpit is surrounded by armor protection.

The AH-1 Super Cobra can fly and provide fire support in both day and night environment. Its avionics, engines and weapons were substantially upgraded comparing with the previous version. It is fitted with a night targeting system, which includes a Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), low-light TV camera, laser rangefinder and an autotrack system.

The Super Cobra is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines, developing 1 725 shp each. The second engine offers additional backup, as in case of failure or damage, the helicopter can still limp back home with one engine working. This gunship is extremely maneuverable. It has a simple and tough landing skids instead of complex retractable undercarriage.

There is a turret under the nose of the helicopter. It is armed with a three-barreled 20 mm cannon and carries 750 rounds of ammunition. The cannon fires at a rate of 675 rounds per minute. The turret can pivot to both sides of the helicopter, as well as up and down. This turret is controlled by the co-pilot/gunner, seated at the front. Also the pilot in the rear can fire the turret, if it is locked in the forward position. The Super Cobra can carry additional pods with miniguns on stub wings.

After 34 years of service and more than 930,000 flight hours, the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter made its final flight on October , 2020.

Role in Ghost Recon

Used by La Unidad to fight against the Ghosts and Kataris 26 if the alert level reaches 4.

Strangely it fires RPG rockets as guided missiles, rocket launcher version AH-6 Little Birds and UH-60 Black Hawks also fires RPGs.

Appearances

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands