Cobra: the AH-1 in the War

[Matt Wiser]

What some Soviets called "The Skinny Snake", or just plain "Kobra": the AH-1:

The AH-1 Cobra in World War III


The Bell AH-1 Cobra was the world's first purpose-built helicopter gunship. Designed for service in Vietnam, the helicopter was upgraded to fill the need for attacking Soviet armor in Europe, as well as to twin-engine configuration for the U.S. Marine Corps. The helicopter served alongside its intended replacement, the AH-64A Apache, during and after the war, and the AH-1 still serves with the USMC and a number of foreign operators today.

Single-engine variants:


AH-1G: Initial production version from 1966: Turret with M134 minigun, 40-mm grenade launcher, Four seven or nineteen-shot rocket pods. 1400 Shaft horsepower Aero-Lycoming T-53-13 turboshaft engine.

AH-1Q: AH-1G fitted with TOW missile system and associated sighting system.

AH-1S: Baseline AH-1S fitted with 1800 Shaft horsepower Aero-Lycoming T-53-L-703 engine. Turret fitted with M-197 three-barreled 20-mm cannon. TOW missile system installed as standard.

AH-1P: AH-1S fitted with glass cockpit, composite rotors, and NOE-compatible cockpit. Same TOW missile system and 20-mm gun. “Step 1” upgrade of S.

AH-1E: “Step 2” of AH-1S upgrade program. M-197 cannon, rocket management system for improved use of 2.75” rockets.

AH-1F: Definitive U.S. Army version, both new-build and conversion of AH-1G and S. Incorporates Step 1 and 2 upgrades, plus Step 3: IR Jammer and IR suppressive exhaust system, HUD and laser rangefinder.


Twin-engine versions:

AH-1J: Initial USMC version; twin Pratt and Whitney Canada T-400 engines, M-197 cannon fitted as standard.

AH-1J International: Export version of J: TOW missile system optional, 202 built for Imperial Iranian Army.

AH-1T: Upgraded Js with upgraded Pratt and Whitney Canada T-00-GE-700 engines. All built with TOW capability, also AIM-9 and AGM-122 Sidearm capability. IR Jammer and Chaff/flare launchers standard. M-197 20-mm cannon. Primary USMC version during the war.

AH-1W. Modernized T with AGM-114 Hellfire capability, Two GE-T700-401 turboshafts, day/night targeting system. M-197 20-mm cannon, IR Jammer and Chaff/Flare launchers. Can carry both TOW and Hellfire missiles simultaneously.

AH-1Z: Postwar development of AH-1W based on wartime experience. Four-bladed rotor, GE T-700-401C Turboshaft, Day/night targeting system, GPS/INS, Full glass cockpit with Helmet-mounted sights; M-197 20-mm cannon, AGM-114 Hellfire, AIM-9, rockets standard.


Wartime users:

United States Army: Active, Reserve, and National Guard attack helicopter battalions all had AH-1s in the inventory. Wartime losses replaced with either new-build AH-1s or AH-64. 8-229 Aviation (ATK), or the “Cobra Girls” (or “Cobra Chicks”) the only all-female attack helicopter battalion in the U.S. Army during the war, equipped with AH-1F and made combat debut at the Battle of Wichita in 1987. All Army Cobras phased out and replaced by AH-64.

United States Marine Corps: Active and Reserve squadrons flew the AH-1T and J during the war, with two squadrons reequipping with the W as the war progressed. Being replaced by AH-1Z in active duty units beginning in FY 2010. Active units have reequipped with the Z, while Reserves still fly the W.

Republic of Korea Army Aviation: One battalion AH-1F as part of ROK Expeditionary Force.

Taiwan: One battalion as part of 1st ROC Mechanized Division.

[Kendog52361]

I know the RAH-66 Comanche entered service, since Krista is a Comanche pilot, but I'll admit I'm a bit surprised it didn't replace any of the AH-1 Cobras, such as in the Light Divisions, like the 101st or 82nd Divisions.

[Poohbah]

I know the RAH-66 Comanche entered service, since Krista is a Comanche pilot, but I'll admit I'm a bit surprised it didn't replace any of the AH-1 Cobras, such as in the Light Divisions, like the 101st or 82nd Divisions.

The RAH-66 is the Kiowa replacement.

[Matt Wiser]

Correct: the Apache replaced the Cobra in Attack Helo battalions and in Divisional Air Cav.

[Poohbah]

Although Krista is mildly disappointed that the Hughes LHX design didn't get picked up:

Hughes LHX.jpg

[Kendog52361]

I know the RAH-66 Comanche entered service, since Krista is a Comanche pilot, but I'll admit I'm a bit surprised it didn't replace any of the AH-1 Cobras, such as in the Light Divisions, like the 101st or 82nd Divisions.

The RAH-66 is the Kiowa replacement.

I was aware of that part, it being the Kiowa replacement, but my understanding (at least in OTL) was that part of the plan was also to replace some of the Cobras, such as those in the Light Divisions.

[jemhouston]

Although Krista is mildly disappointed that the Hughes LHX design didn't get picked up:

Hughes LHX.jpg

Good for an Airwolf reboot.

[Wolfman]

OOC: I thought we’d agreed on the most conventional of the Hughes LHX proposals?

[Poohbah]

OOC: I thought we’d agreed on the most conventional of the Hughes LHX proposals?

The Bell/Mickey D proposal, actually.

Krista just looks wistfully at the Hughes proposal. She's a firm believer in "looks good, flies good," and it looked awesome.

[Wolfman]

The problem is that the technology just wasn’t there for it.

[Poohbah]

The problem is that the technology just wasn’t there for it.

It needed an awesome synth soundtrack by Sylvester LeVay.

[Wolfman]

I’m starting to wonder if that particular idiot knocked something loose in your head…

[Poohbah]

I’m starting to wonder if that particular idiot knocked something loose in your head…

I jest, I jest!

The technology wasn't quite there, quite correct, especially for a single seater. Same with the Bell tiltrotor concept for LHX (the rotor disc loadings would have been impressively high, and that means even a smidgen of settling with power was going to be very bad news, especially in a high task-loading environment). Krista likes to say that the Comanche's flight controls and maneuver envelope let you focus on the important things, like, say, shooting bad guys, or not hitting stationary objects such as buildings or the ground.

[Bernard Woolley]

British Army also used them in Canada, assigned to Corps level AAC regiments. To confuse matters they were designed Cobra AH.1.

[Poohbah]

British Army also used them in Canada, assigned to Corps level AAC regiments. To confuse matters they were designed Cobra AH.1.

They had to be redesignated because of the BV for making tea.

[Wolfman]

AH-1Ws started showing up in time for GULF HAMMER.