AH-1W Super Cobra

The AH-1W is a twin-engined upgraded and improved AH-1 flown by the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Super Cobras are also in service the Tawainese and Turkish militaries. The AH-1 'Whiskey Cobra' has enhanced avionics and can carry a wider range of weapons than the standard AH-1.

The AH-1W has been in service with the USMC since 1985. 4 Squadrons of Super Cobras accompianed the USMC's push into Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War where they proved highly effective in the anti-armor role. 1 sortie alone resulted in 60 iraqi tanks destroyed.

It's projected that the Super Cobra will stay in service for another 10 years until it is completely replaced by the AH-1Z (a further set of upgrades to the AH-1, including 5-blade rotors, advanced sensors and countermeasures)

USMC AH-1W super cobra

AH-1W FEATURES

20mm M197 cannon turret with 110 degree field of fire
wire-cutting blades postion around the cockpit to deal with the threat of high-tension wires - a real problem at low altitude
aluminium bodywork
twin engines (a must for operations over water)
2-blade steel/aluminium tail rotors
night vision & electronic sensors allow for all-time / all-weather operations

AH-1W Super Cobra Specifications

The AH-1W's chin houses the Night Targeting System, Laser Designator and the Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLIR) sensor. The gunner uses this sensor suite to aim and fire the host of anti-tank missiles, rockets and 20mm cannon in a typical AH-1W loadout.

Crew	2 - With Pilot seated above and behind Gunner
Engines	2 1212-kW General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshafts (1,625hp each)
Dimensions	L - 58 ft W (wingspan) - 10ft 7inches H - 14ft 2 inches
Weights	4627 kg (empty) 6691 kg (max loudout)
Max Speed	352 kph
Range	395 km
Armament	M197 three barrel 20 mm cannon (750 rounds) @ 650 rounds per minute TOW wire guided missiles Hellfire laser-guided anti-tank missiles FFAR rockets Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
Avionics	Night Targeting System (NTS) (FLIR, laser-designator) AN/APR-39(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver AN/ALE-39 chaff and flare dispensor

US Marines AH-1W Super Cobra armed with Hellfire laser-guided missiles and HYDRA rocket pods.

INTERNAL LINKS
ah-1w super cobra photos :
ah-1w loadout | ah-1w landing | super cobra side view | ah-1w refueling
ah-1w video :
super cobra gun camera footage

EXTERNAL LINKS
Bell Helicopters - info on the AH-1Z Cobra upgrades