The AH-1W Super Cobra is the US Marines’ attack helicopter. It is supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron, and entered service in 1985.
As well as the US Marine Corps (USMC), the Super Cobra is operational with the Turkish Land Forces and the armed forces of Taiwan. The AH-1W was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.
AH-1W Super Cobra orders and deliveries
AH-1W Super Cobra / Joe Copalman
AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter was developed by Bell for the US Marine Corps (USMC). It evolved form the AH-1T and follows the general outlines of the AH-1 Cobra. The Super Cobra was adopted by the USMC in 1986 and is still in service. This gunship was used during the Persian Gulf War. A total of 48 AH-1W attack helicopters were used during that war. These gunships destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers, 16 bunkers and 2 anti-aircraft sites. Not a single USMC helicopter was lost during that war.
The main role of this attack helicopter is to provide close in fire support for landing forces during amphibious assaults and subsequent land operations. It also escorts transport helicopters with troops.
The Super Cobra has a slim fuselage with a fighter-type cockpit. The pilot sits high in the rear with a co-pilot/gunner lower in the front directing the fire of a wide range of weapons mounted on lateral stub wings or under the nose. The front seat also has a full set of flight controls. The cockpit is surrounded by armor protection.
The AH-1W Super Cobra can fly and provide fire support in both day and night environment. Its avionics, engines and weapons were substantially upgraded comparing with the previous version. It is fitted with a night targeting system, which includes a Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), low-light TV camera, laser rangefinder and an auto track system.
AH-1W Super Cobra / The Photographer-Thomas Camp
The Super Cobra is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines, developing 1 725 shp each. The second engine offers additional backup, as in case of failure or damage, the helicopter can still limp back home with one engine working. This gunship is extremely maneuverable. It has a simple and tough landing skids instead of complex retractable undercarriage.
There is a turret under the nose of the helicopter. It is armed with a three-barreled 20 mm cannon and carries 750 rounds of ammunition. The cannon fires at a rate of 675 rounds per minute. The turret can pivot to both sides of the helicopter, as well as up and down. This turret is controlled by the co-pilot/gunner, seated at the front. Also the pilot in the rear can fire the turret, if it is locked in the forward position. The Super Cobra can carry additional pods with miniguns on stub wings.
The Super Cobra is also armed with Hellfire or TOW anti-tank guided missiles. It can actually carry both types of missiles on the same mission. Other weapons of this helicopter are pods with various unguided rockets, cluster munitions, various bombs, AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-92 Stinger short-range air-to-air missiles, and AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radiation missiles. This gunship also has provision for AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles.
Fuel is contained within two fuselage fuel cells. Up to 4 more external tanks with fuel can be carried for extended range. Source military-today.com
AH-1W Super Cobra / Joe Copalman
Around 63 AH-1W helicopters were acquired by the Republic of China Army in 1990. As of January 2010, 59 helicopters were operational.
In 1990, the Turkish Army procured ten AH-1W Super Cobras to supplement their AH-1F Cobras. Six helicopters were operational as of July 2010. Two more AH-1W helicopters were acquired in early 2011. About 167 AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters are being operated by the USMC.
The Republic of Korea Army obtained eight AH-1J Cobras in 1978 and three are in service as of January 2010.
The US Navy uses seven AH-1Ws for test and rating purposes on behalf of the USMC. The marine corps took delivery of three upgraded AH-1s from Bell in February 2008. Bell received a contract for 15 upgraded aircraft (11 UH-1Ys and four AH-1Zs) in September 2008 and delivered 20 upgraded H-1 helicopters (14 UH-1Ys and six AH-1Zs) in 2008.
The US Navy ordered 16 Lot 6 H-1 helicopters (five AH-1Zs and 11 UH-1Ys) in March 2009 totalling the entire contract to produce 65 upgraded H-1 aircraft (17 AH-1Zs and 48 UH-1Ys). Bell delivered six AH-1Zs and 17 UH-1Ys in March 2009.
UH-1Y / Ottosen Photography
In September 2008, NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) ordered 46 AH-1Zs bringing its total orders to 226.
An AH-1W was crashed at Camp Pendleton, California in September 2011 while conducting training exercises.
AH-1Z Super Cobra upgrade programme
A major upgrade of the Bell Super Cobra known as the H-1 programme was launched in 1996. The programme calls for the remanufacture of the US Marine Corps fleet of 180 AH-1W Super Cobra into AH-1Zs and 100 UH-1N to UH-1Y utility helicopters to an advanced four-bladed configuration, which will operate to beyond 2020. An upgraded cockpit configuration allows easy co-pilot access to the night targeting system (NTS). These are also remanufactured with “zero-time” airframes comprising advanced technology.
AH-1Z / Ust Kakuzai
The original two-bladed semi-rigid, teetering rotor system is replaced with a four-bladed, hingeless, bearingless rotor system. The improvement in flight characteristics provided by the four-bladed configuration led to an increase in flight envelope, maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb, payload and rotor vibration level.
AH-1Z / Ust Kakuzai
The USMC subsequently decided on new-build rather than remanufactured UH-1Y helicopters and, in February 2008, awarded Bell a contract for the new build of 40 of the proposed 189 AH-1Z helicopters. Four additional helicopters were ordered in September 2008.
AH-1Z / Ust Kakuzai
First flight of the AH-1Z took place in December 2000. The AH-1W entered low-rate initial production (LRIP) in October 2003 with deliveries to be carried out until 2018. Five AH-1W helicopters were remanufactured to AH-1Z standard and took part in flight testing at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Sea trials in May 2005 included the first shipboard landing on USS Bataan, Wasp Class amphibious assault ship.
AH-1Z / Ust Kakuzai
Developmental testing was completed in February 2006 and two test aircraft began operational evaluation (OPEVAL) with the USMC in May 2006. The first production AH-1Z helicopter was delivered to the USMC in January 2007. Phase II of OPEVAL began in February 2008, and the OPEVAL was completed in October 2010. In November 2010, the AH-1Z was approved for the full-rate production. Initial operating capability of the AH-1Z Cobra took place in February 2011.
The Turkish Army selected the AH-1Z King Cobra in July 2000 with a request for 50 out of a total requirement for 145 helicopters. In May 2004, it was announced that the acquisition was to be cancelled. The helicopters were to be built in Turkey by Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI).
USMC Completes First AH-1Z Flight with Link-16
U.S. Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jesse Schwab
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (June 07, 2021) – The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has successfully demonstrated in flight testing a two-way connection between the AH-1Z Viper helicopter and a ground station using new Link-16 hardware and software. Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company manufactures the AH-1Z Viper and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has developed the Link-16 system. Link-16 is part of a defined road map of planned improvements designed to ensure the H-1 platform maintains its technological edge and combat capability throughout its service life.
“Bell is excited to help bring this capability to the USMC H-1 community,” said Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 vice president and program director. “The ability to participate in the modern and connected battlefield makes the aircraft more lethal and better-equipped to support Marines on the ground.”
Link-16 enables the AH-1Z—unlike any other helicopter in the world with its fully integrated anti-air capability and AIM-9 Sidewinder — to quickly obtain and share information from its sensors with other weapons systems using its onboard digital architecture. This is accomplished through Northrop Grumman’s Link-16 package, which includes a new digital moving map, a new security architecture, and the Link-16 and Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) datalinks.
“Northrop Grumman’s Link-16 system will help U.S. Marines today, and well into the future, with critical technology that facilitates coordination, collaboration, and interoperability. By enabling the display and integration of Link-16 data with the H-1 system, pilots of the AH-1Z have greater situational awareness and enhanced survivability,” said James Conroy, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “This milestone also highlights our focus on “speed to fleet,” due to the unprecedented time between demonstrating the concept and getting to first flight. Flexibility and adaptability, using next generation agile development practices, are the only ways to innovate and keep pace with changing mission needs.”
In a collaboration between the USMC H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter program (PMA-276), Bell, and Northrop Grumman, the team leveraged commercial best practices of Agile Development methodologies. This strategy provided an under glass solution from concept requirements to vehicle design testing in 12 months. Northrop Grumman’s Lead Technology Integration group rapidly architected and integrated a mission package for Link-16, including a modern digital mapping solution, for the H-1 platform while Bell’s H-1 program team provided all of the necessary vehicle analysis and modifications to incorporate the mission equipment throughout the existing integrated systems of the AH-1Z. Together, the teams are redefining what it means to rapidly field integrated solutions on existing fielded platforms to increase warfighter capabilities.
“The H-1 has decades of battlefield experience, it has evolved to fight in numerous environments,” said Col. Vasilios Pappas, PMA-276 program manager. “The integration of Link-16 aligns with this platforms’ ability to adapt to the ever-changing threat and meet the needs of current and future warfighters.”
The USMC has flight tests planned for the AH-1Z throughout the summer, which will be followed by flight testing of Link-16 on the UH-1Y Venom. The service anticipates AH-1Z initial fleet integration with Link 16 in 2022. Source bellflight.com
Cockpit
AH-1Z / US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Israel Chincio
Northrop Grumman has developed the integrated avionics systems for the AH-1Z. The systems include two mission computers and an automatic flight control system with four-axis stability control augmentation system. Each crew station has two 8in×6in multifunction displays and one 4.2in×4.2in dual function display, based on active matrix liquid crystal colour technology.
Business Insider
The displays are supplied by L-3 Ruggedized Command and Control Solutions. Smiths Aerospace supplied the weapon stores control and data transfer system.
“The AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.”
AH-1Z / US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Julian Elliott-Drouin
The communications suite combines the new US Navy RT-1824 integrated radio, UHF/VHF, COMSEC and modem in a single unit. The navigation suite includes an embedded GPS inertial (EGI), a low-airspeed air data subsystem, which allows weapons delivery when hovering and a digital map.
Thales Avionics’ TopOwl helmet-mounted display system / photo Bell
In June 2002, Thales Avionics’ TopOwl helmet-mounted display system was chosen for the USMC AH-1Z. The first system was delivered in January 2003. TopOwl, also fitted on Tiger, NH90 and Rooivalk helicopters, has integrated Gen IV image intensifier and FLIR capability and provides transition from day to night use at the push of a button.
Weapons and missiles
AH-1Z / US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Alison Dostie
The Super Cobra can carry both TOW and Hellfire anti-armour missiles and is qualified to carry the Maverick missile. The Raytheon BGM-71 TOW missile has a range of more than 3km and semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight guidance. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It is equipped with a semi-active laser seeker and has a range of 7km. The Super Cobra has fire-and-forget capability when firing the Hellfire missile in co-operative mode with laser target illumination.
BGM-71 TOW missile
Tech Photo By Thomas Campe / 7 Tube Rocket Launcher and TOW missle Launcher to the outside
The TOW missile has semi-automatic guidance. It is not a fire-and-forget type weapon. It requires the shooter to keep the target in the line of sight until the missile impacts. Once the missile is launched the optical sensor on the sight continuously monitors the position of missile in relation to the target. The sensor corrects the trajectory of the missile by sending electrical signals that are passed on by two wires. The communication by wires with the missile can not be jammed by the enemy. The latest missiles of the TOW are produced both with wire- and wireless guidance. These newer wireless missiles require no special alterations to the launcher. Source military-today.com
AGM-114 Hellfire missile
Aerofossile2012
military-today.com
Hellfire is an air-to-ground, laser guided, subsonic missile with significant antitank capacity. It can also be used as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters or slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.
Hellfire can be used as an air-to-air or an air-to-ground missile. The Air-to-Ground (AGM)-114 provides precision striking power against tanks, structures, bunkers and helicopters. The Hellfire missile is capable of defeating any known tank in the world today. It can be guided to the target either from inside the aircraft or by lasers outside the aircraft. Source navy.mil
Sidewinder air-to-air missile
Bell
Mission
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft. It has a high-explosive warhead and an infrared heat-seeking guidance system. The Sidewinder was developed by the U.S. Navy for fleet air defense and was adapted by the U.S. Air Force for fighter aircraft use. Early versions of the missile were extensively used in the Southeast Asia conflict.
Features
The AIM-9 has a cylindrical body with a roll-stabilizing rear wing/rolleron assembly. Also, it has detachable, double-delta control surfaces behind the nose that improve the missile’s maneuverability. Both rollerons and control surfaces are in a cross-like arrangement.
The missile’s main components are an infrared homing guidance section, an active optical target detector, a high-explosive warhead and a rocket motor.
The infrared guidance head enables the missile to home in on target aircraft engine exhaust. An infrared unit costs less than other types of guidance systems, and can be used in day/night and electronic countermeasures conditions. The infrared seeker also permits the pilot to launch the missile, then leave the area or take evasive action while the missile guides itself to the target. Source af.mil
AH-1Z / US Marine Corps / LCpl. Colton K. Garrett
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: Guided Weapon |
Weight: 86.0 kg |
| Length: 2.85 m |
Span: 0.63 m |
| Diameter: 0.13 |
Generation: None |
| Properties: Anti-Air All-Aspect, Capable vs Seaskimmer |
| Targets: Aircraft, Helicopter, Missile |
| SENSORS / EW: |
IR Seeker – (AIM-9L/M/S, DSQ-29) Infrared
Weapon Seeker, Infrared, Dual Spectral IR
Max Range: 18.5 km |
| WEAPONS: |
AIM-9M Sidewinder – (1984) Guided Weapon
Air Max: 18.5 km. |
Source cmano-db.com
The Super Cobra was the first attack helicopter to qualify both the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Sidearm anti-radiation missile. Both missiles can use the same LAU-7 rail launcher. Sidearm has a range of more than 15km. AIM-9L Sidewinder is an all-aspect, short-range, air-to-air missile produced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The missile has a range of 15km.
The Super Cobra can fire the Hydra family of unguided 70mm rockets or the larger 127mm Zuni rocket bombs. Since 2008, all units are armed with the advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS), a guided version of the Hydra. The US Army reopened the competition for the APKWS in September 2005 and BAE Systems was selected as the prime contractor on 27 April 2006. A $96.1m contract was awarded to BAE systems by the US Army for design and development of APKWS II laser guided rockets.
127mm Zuni rocket
topwar.ru
This is the American 127mm (5 Inch) Zuni, a series of un-guided, air-to-air and air-to-ground, pod launched Folding Fin Aircraft Rockets (FFAR) with sustained-acceleration-armed, impact-inertia-fired, electro-mechanical, base-detonating (BD) fuzes.
The Zuni was named after the Zuni Native American tribe in modern-day New Mexico.
Two rocket motor variants included the Mk 16 folding flip-out fins designated FFAR (Folding Fin Aircraft Rockets) and the Mk 71 wrap-around fins designated WAFAR (Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rocket).
Warhead variants include the Mk 24 General Purpose High-explosive (HE), Mk 25 Fragmanatation, Mk 32 HEAT and Frag, Mk 33 Illumination, Mk 34 Smoke, Mk 63 High-explosive Frag (HE-Frag) and the Mk 76/84 Chaff warheads.
The LAU-10 launcher can be fitted with a frangible aerodynamic nose and tail fairings made of treated paper, which disintegrates on firing.
The rockets are launched when an electric current is applied from the launcher to the rocket motor igniter circuits.
The warheads are functioned by the particular fuze employed. Source cat-uxo.com
APKWS laser guided rockets
US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a combat-proven, laser-guided 70mm rocket system designed and manufactured by BAE Systems in collaboration with the US Government. The weapon system is currently deployed by the US military forces.
baesystems.com
The lethal weapon system can be launched from rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned platforms to strike ground, air and sea-based targets, and also supports close air support operations.
baesystems.com
Design and warheads
The advanced, highly precise APKWS rocket system features a point-and-shoot design and requires no maintenance. It is capable of engaging stationary and moving enemy targets with greater flexibility, while offering superior survivability for the crew.
Guidance and control system
The APKWS is fitted with a plug and play compatible distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker (DASALS) guidance and control system between warhead and rocket motor. DASALS is used to transform unguided rockets into precision munitions. It allows the weapon system to engage soft and lightly armoured targets in restricted areas with minimum collateral damage. Source army-technology.com
The Super Cobra carries a three-barrel, 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by maneuvering the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight and aim the gun by looking at the target.
20mm Gatling gun (A/A49E-7 turret)
Ust Kakuzai
The M-197 produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is a lightweight, three-barrel version of the M61A1 Gatling gun intended for applications that require a lightweight, highly reliable weapon capable of firing up to 1,500 shots per minute.
The gun is specifically designed for helicopters, light fixed-wing aircraft and small naval attack vessels. It is adaptable for turret, pod, pintle or internal installations using either linked or linkless ammunition feed systems. Currently, the M-197 arms the Marine Corps AH-1J, AH-1T, AH-1W and AH-1Z. The M-197 is also used in the GPU-2/A 20mm gun pod.
Power requirements for the M-197 are lower than most weapons offering comparable rates of fire due to the M-197’s continuous rotary motion. The M-197 is also capable of firing longer burst lengths than its competitors.
Specifications
| Gun type |
Three-barrel, 20mm, externally powered Gatling gun |
| Weight |
132 pounds (60 kg) |
| Rate of fire |
Up to 1,500 shots per minute |
| Dispersion |
5 milliradians diameter, 80 percent circle |
| Muzzle velocity |
8.0 milliradians diameter, 80 percent circle (M50) |
| Average recoil force |
1,300 pounds (5.8 kN) |
| Feed system |
Linked or linkless |
| Drive system |
Hydraulic, electric, pneumatic |
Source gd-ots.com
US Marine Corps / Cpl. Steve H. Lopez
The A/A49E-7(V4) system is one of the primary weapons systems on the AH-1Z aircraft and is chin mounted providing the capability to position, feed, and fire the M197 20MM rotary gun. Major components of the A/A49E-7(V4) are the M197 20MM rotary gun, gun turret, control system and ammunition handling system. It provides air to air and air to ground capability. Source govtribe.com
The AH-1Z for the USMC is being armed with: 16 Hellfire missiles, six AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 70mm rocket pods (7- and 19-shot), and a 20mm gun.
Sensors
Joe Copalman
Targeting for the AH-1W is provided by the night targeting system (NTS), jointly produced by Tamam Division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd and Kollsman.
NTS integrates a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) which provides automatic target tracking with a laser designator / rangefinder and video recorder.
Lockheed Martin developed a longer range AN/AAQ-30 target sight system (TSS) for the AH-1Z to replace the NTS. TSS includes a third-generation four field-of-view FLIR based on a 3-5-micron staring array, CCD colour TV, Kollsman eyesafe laser rangefinder / designator and multi-target autotracker. L-3 Communications Wescam supplies the turret assembly. Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to supply the first 16 systems to the USMC in March 2008.
AN/AAQ-30 target sight system (TSS)
US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Jackson Dukes
The Target Sight System (TSS) is the multi-sensor electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) fire control system (AN/AAQ-30A) for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopter. TSS has an infrared pointer, large-aperture mid-wave infrared (MWIR) sensor, color TV, laser designator/rangefinder (with eye-safe mode) and an on-gimbal inertial measurement unit integrated into a highly stabilized turret. The turret mounts to the nose of the aircraft via the Lockheed Martin-developed aircraft interface structure. TSS’ advanced sensors provide pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing platform survivability and lethality.
Features
- Large aperture MWIR with four fields-of-view for maximum image resolution and long-range performance
- Highly stabilized and inertially isolated gimbal for precise line-of-sight pointing
- Multi-mode multi-target tracker for precision weapon designation and target geo-location
- Advanced image processing to enhance target identification at extended ranges
- High magnification, continuous zoom, color TV with field-of-view matched to the MWIR
- Versatile modular architecture for future growth
Source lockheedmartin.com
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: Infrared |
Altitude Max: 0 m |
| Range Max: 55.6 km |
Altitude Min: 0 m |
| Range Min: 0 km |
Generation: Infrared, 3rd Generation Imaging (2000s/2010s, Impr LANTIRN, Litening II/III, ATFLIR) |
| Properties: Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) [Side Info], Classification [Class Info] / Brilliant Weapon [Automatic Target Aquisition], Continous Tracking Capability [Visual] |
| SENSORS / EW: |
AN/AAQ-30 Hawkeye TSS – Infrared
Role: Infrared, Weapon Director & Target Search, Tracking and Identification Camera
Max Range: 55.6 km |
Laser Designator
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: Laser Designator |
Altitude Max: 0 m |
| Range Max: 18.5 km |
Altitude Min: 0 m |
| Range Min: 0 km |
Generation: Not Applicable (N/A) |
| SENSORS / EW: |
Generic Laser Designator – (Surface Only) Laser Designator
Role: Laser Target Designator & Ranger (LTD/R)
Max Range: 18.5 km |
AN/AAQ-30 Hawkeye TSS
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: Infrared |
Altitude Max: 0 m |
| Range Max: 55.6 km |
Altitude Min: 0 m |
| Range Min: 0 km |
Generation: Infrared, 3rd Generation Imaging (2000s/2010s, Impr LANTIRN, Litening II/III, ATFLIR) |
| Properties: Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) [Side Info], Classification [Class Info] / Brilliant Weapon [Automatic Target Aquisition], Continuous Tracking Capability [Visual] |
| SENSORS / EW: |
AN/AAQ-30 Hawkeye TSS – Infrared
Role: Infrared, Weapon Director & Target Search, Tracking and Identification Camera
Max Range: 55.6 km |
Generic Laser Designator
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: Laser Designator |
Altitude Max: 0 m |
| Range Max: 18.5 km |
Altitude Min: 0 m |
| Range Min: 0 km |
Generation: Not Applicable (N/A) |
| SENSORS / EW: |
Generic Laser Designator – (Surface Only) Laser Designator
Role: Laser Target Designator & Ranger (LTD/R)
Max Range: 18.5 km |
Source cmano-db.com
Longbow International (a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) is developing the Cobra Radar System for the AH-1Z, based on the Longbow millimetre wave radar on the AH-64D Apache. Cobra is a pod-based radar that can be mounted on a wingtip or in a stores position. Cobra can automatically search, detect, classify and prioritise multiple moving and stationary targets. It has a range of 8km against moving and 4km against stationary targets.
The AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar can also be mounted on a wing tip station
The LONGBOW FCR has a very low probability of intercept. It rapidly and automatically searches, detects, locates, classifies, and prioritizes multiple moving and stationary targets on land, water and in the air in all weather and battlefield conditions from standoff ranges. Target coordinates are automatically available to other sensors and weapons for target confirmation, rapid engagement, and reduced fratricide. Target data is digitally available through the data modem for real-time transfer to other platforms and command posts. The self-contained Radar Frequency Interferometer provides rapid and accurate identification and azimuth to enemy air defense units. High system reliability and two-level maintenance maximize operational availability and reduce support costs. Source lockheedmartin.com
Countermeasures
The H1 Super Cobra upgrade includes provision of a new electronic warfare suite. A new radar warner, the AN/APR-39(XE2) from Lockheed Martin, replaces the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-39(V)2 pulse radar warner and the AEL Industries AN/APR-44 continuous-wave radar warner.
AN/APR-39(V)2 pulse radar warner
northropgrumman.com
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: ESM |
Altitude Max: 0 m |
| Range Max: 222.2 km |
Altitude Min: 0 m |
| Range Min: 0 km |
Generation: Late 2000s |
| SENSORS / EW: |
AN/APR-39B(V)2 – (USN/USMC) ESM
Role: RWR, Radar Warning Receiver
Max Range: 222.2 km |
Source cmano-db.com
AN/APR-39A Radar Warning Receiver & AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System
The ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning system has been included in the upgrade suite. AN/AAR-47 uses infrared detectors to detect the missile plume. The Goodrich (formerly Raytheon) AN/AVR-2A laser warning receiver was also added. The infrared countermeasures system is the AN/ALQ-144A developed by BAE Systems IEWS (formerly Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company).
ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning system
The AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System is a Missile Approach Warning system used on slow moving aircraft such as helicopters and military transport aircraft to notify the pilot of threats and to trigger the aircraft’s countermeasures systems. Its main users are the U.S Army, Navy and Air Force, but is also operated by other countries. Originally developed by Loral (now part of BAE Systems), it has been solely a product of Alliant Techsystems (ATK) since 2002.
quizlet.com
Method of Operation
The AN/AAR-47 passively detects missiles by their Ultraviolet signature, and uses algorithms to differentiate between incoming missiles and false alarms. Newer versions also have laser warning sensors and are capable of detecting a wider range of threats. After processing the nature of the threat, the system gives the pilot an audio and visual warning, and indicates the direction of the incoming threat. It also sends a signal to the aircraft’s infrared countermeasures system, which can then for example deploy flares.
Components
The AAR-47 missile warning system consists of 4 Optical Sensor Converters (OSC), a Computer Processor and a Control Indicator. The system is relatively light at a total weight of approximately 32 pounds.
There is one optical sensor converter for each side of the aircraft. They have an infrared camera for detecting incoming missiles. The Optical modules since version AAR-47(V)2 include a laser warning sensor, and versions since AAR-47A(V)2 further incorporate an ultraviolet sensor for improved dynamic blanking laser warning detection.
The computer processor evaluates the data from the OSC:s and analyzes whether a detected event is an incoming missile. If a threat is detected, it sends a signal to the control indicator which informs the crew, and the aircraft’s infrared countermeasures system. Source revolvy.com
| GENERAL DATA: |
|
| Type: Infrared |
Altitude Max: 0 m |
| Range Max: 9.3 km |
Altitude Min: 0 m |
| Range Min: 0 km |
Generation: Late 2000s |
| Properties: Continous Tracking Capability [Visual] |
| SENSORS / EW: |
AN/AAR-47A(V)2 – (2007) Infrared
Role: MAWS, Missile Approach Warning System
Max Range: 9.3 km |
Source cmano-db.com
Chris Heal
The helicopter is also equipped with the AN/ALE-39 chaff and infrared flare dispenser manufactured by BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions (formerly Tracor) and Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems.
ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System
The ALE-47 is so advanced, it thinks for itself. The system uses information from integrated electronic warfare (EW) sensors, including radar warning receivers (RWR) and missile warning systems (MWS) to determine the correct response to defeat incoming infrared and radio-frequency guided missiles. It also partners well with infrared countermeasures systems. The system is able to operate in automatic, semi-automatic, manual, or bypass modes, although the automatic response maximizes protection. The simple, but extremely effective system architecture makes the ALE-47 suitable for upgrading with new smart control systems.
Ust Kakuzai
Incredibly Adaptable
- Interchangeable with obsolete ALE-40, ALE-39, and M-130 systems
- Integrates easily with electronic warfare systems, providing extreme versatility
- Smoothly upgradable to next-generation Smart D²™ countermeasures capabilities
- Uses U.S. and NATO standard and new RF and IR decoys
- Glass cockpit compatible
Engines
AH-1Z / US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Becky L. Calhoun
Twin General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines provide a total of 2,410kW or 3,380shp.
2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines
The T700 engine was designed for the US Army’s UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter as a result of lessons learned in Vietnam. The key requirements of this engine were reliability, operation under adverse environmental conditions and low maintainability.
The T700-GE-401 engine was the first engine qualified, under US Navy’s rigorous salt ingestion tests, suitable for shipboard operations. This engine was selected to power AH-1Z/W and UH-1Y among other naval helicopters. Source deagel.com
In standard conditions, with an air-to-air ordnance load, the Super Cobra can take off and climb out at more than 4.1m/s on only one engine. It can hover out of ground effect (OGE) at 914m, with a load of four TOW and four Hellfire missiles, full turret ammunition and rockets.
Performance
Norman Graf @flicker.com
The helicopter can climb at the rate of 8.2m a second. The maximum and cruise speeds of the helicopter are 388km/h and 274km/h respectively. The range and service ceiling are 648km and 3,720m respectively. The maximum endurance of the helicopter is three hours and 30 minutes. The helicopter weighs around 4,953kg and the maximum take-off weight is 6,690kg.
Specification
Primary Function: Close air support, anti-armor, armed escort,
armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities
under day/night and adverse weather conditions
Prime Contractor: Bell Helicopter Textron
Power Plant: 2x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines with 1,800 shp (each engine)
Length: Fuselage: 44 ft 10 in (13.67 m); w/rotating rotor: 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m)
Height: 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
Rotor Diameter: 48 ft (14.6 m)
Weight (Empty): 12,300 lbs (5,579 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 18,500 lbs (8,390 kg)
Payload: Max: 2,176 lbs (987 kg)
Fuel Capacity: Internal: 2,858 lbs (1,296 kg)
Speed: Cruise: 155 kts/178 mph (287 km/h);
Rate of Climb: 2,790 ft/min (14.2 m/s)
Service Ceiling: 20,000+ ft (6,096+ m)
Combat Radius: 125 nm/144 miles (232 km) with 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) payload
Crew: Two (pilot and co-pilot/gunner)
First Flight: December 8, 2000
Price/Unit Cost: $29.89 million flyaway cost (in FY 2014)
Deployed: September 2010
Specification data fi-aeroweb.com
Main material source naval-technology.com
Images are from public domain unless otherwise stated
Main image Dan Stijovich
Updated Dec 18, 2021
Firing ports when closed
Firing ports when opened
Oerlikon Contraves 35 millimeter KDE cannon
Type 74 7.62 millimeter caliber machine gun
Type 79 Jyu-MAT missile on each side of the turret. The Type 79 Jyu-MAT (79式対舟艇対戦車誘導弾 79-shiki tai-shūtei tai-sensha yūdō-dan) is a Japanese SACLOS guided anti-tank missile that entered service with the JGSDF in 1984. It was initially issued to coastal defence units, intended to destroy troop and vehicle landing ships as they approached the shoreline. It is also known as KAM-9
Thai Military and Asian Region 