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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.
he
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]
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 was 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 wing-tip 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 wing tip station.[2] The AH-1W
version will be phased out of the Marine Corps by 2020
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