Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/1/2009

Question
Dear sir ,
I am going to ask about cobras. is it US originpl.plz tell bout its operational feautre as compare with other militry helies.
with best regards
Rehan

Answer
Rehan,
I'm glad you asked.  The AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter is my all-time favorite aircraft.  It was first made in 1965 by Bell Helicopter at a cost of slightly over $11 million. Subsequent versions have a letter designation, such as the AH-1G, the AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra.  The AH-1W is the backbone of the  Marine Corps's attack helicopter fleet, but will soon be replaced by the AH-1Z Viper upgrade.

Although the Army originally requested the Cobras, they soon realized how valuable an attack helicopter was and demanded more capabilities, such as greater firepower and  better survivability such as self defense armor.  So in 1975 they contracted with Hughes Helicopters to build the AH-64 Apache.  The USMC also wanted Apaches, but Congress denied them funding.  So the Army then transferred all their Cobras to the USMC who eagerly took them and are upgrading them to AH-1Z models.

The Cobra is flown by a pilot in the rear seat and seated immediately in front of him is the co-pilot/gunner.  Most other helicopters have side-by-side seating.  Because of it's narrow design I think the Cobra just looks lean and mean.

Cobra helicopters have the reputation of being a highly efficient tank killer.  It normally carries a 3-barreled 20 mm "Gatling-style" cannon with a 750 round ammo capacity; 19 Hydra 70 rockets for air-to-ground use; 8 Zuni rockets with various warheads for either air-to-air or air-to-ground use; 8 TOW missiles for anti-tank ops; 8 Hellfire anti-tank missiles; and 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder Anti-Aircraft Missiles.

There are only 3 comparable aircraft in production today:  The U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache Longbow, China's new CAIC WZ-10 Attack Helicopter, andIndia's HAL Light Combat Helicopter.

Is this what you were looking for?
Colonel H