The Bell AH-1S Cobra is an attack helicopter for ground force support. The Cobra series was developed from the UH-1 Iroquois as an escort for the transport helicopter CH-47 Chinook during the Vietnam War .
The main improvements from the Iroquois are concentrated in the front of the fuselage. The frontal area of the Iroquois fuselage has been reduced to about one-third, the pilot and gunner are arranged in tandem (vertical), and stabilizer wings have been added to both sides of the fuselage to enhance stability during high-speed flight and to use it as a platform for carrying missiles and rockets . The main rotor is a door-hinged rotor, which increases the aircraft's speed and maneuverability. The basic armament is the Emerson TAT102 turret mounted on the model, which is equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun or a 20mm cannon, and the nose turret linked to the gunner's helmet device allows for very high-precision firing. In addition, since the aircraft flies at a relatively low speed at low altitudes, making it vulnerable to enemy attacks, the cockpit is fully equipped with bulletproof equipment.
The Cobra series is mainly used by the US Army and Marine Corps, and the type and shape differ between the Army and Marine Corps. The latest type of Army-spec Cobra is the AH 1S Cobra. This type has its engine replaced with a Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft engine, and the power transmission has been strengthened to accommodate the increased power output of the engine.
The increased power output also allows for more ammunition to be carried. The maximum armament load is eight TOW missiles, 38 rockets, a 20mm triple machine gun in the nose, and 760 rounds of ammunition. The AH-1S is also licensed and produced by Fuji Heavy Industries and deployed as an anti-tank helicopter by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and anti-tank helicopter squadrons combined with OH-6 helicopters have been formed in Hokkaido and other areas.
- Crew: 2
- Fuselage length: 13.59m
- Total height: 3.68m
- Rotor diameter: 13.41m
- Weight: 2,940kg
- Total weight: 4,536kg
- Engine: Lycoming T53-L-703 (output 1,800shp) x 1
- Maximum speed: 315km/h
- Practical ceiling: 3,720m
- Range: 507km
- Fixed armament: 20mm cannon
- External armament: TOW missile x 8 Rocket x 38