BELL MODEL 209 Hueycobra

TYPE:

• Two-seat close support and attack helicopter.

PROGRAMME:

• Bell began a crash development of a company-funded prototype derived from the model 204 when the US Army issued the AAFSS (Advanced Aerial Fire Support System) to replace the failed Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne.
• The Model 204 had the powerplant, transmission and wide-chord of the UH-1C, but introduced a new fuselage seating the gunner in the nose with the pilot behind and above him.
• The fuselage was very narrow, thus was easy to conceal on the ground and a difficult target in the air.
• The Bell Model 209 HueyCobra prototype was first flown on September 7, 1965.
• Service test began in December of 1965, and gained an order for two pre-production AH-1G helicopters on April 4 1966. Due to the urgency of thesituation, 110 AH-1Gs were ordered nine days later.
• The AH-1Gs were delivered in June 1967 and within weeks, became operational in Vietnam.
• The AH-1S was first ordered as a TOW-capable version of the AH-1G in 1975.
• This programme included the conversion of earlier AH-1Gs and a three-stage production of a new aircraft with various degrees of upgrading.

DESIGN FEATURES:

• Transmission rated at 962 kW (1,290 shp) for take-off and 845 kW (1,134 shp) continuous.
• Uses Kaman composite blades, fitted from 67th AH-1P onwards, tolerate hits by 23 mm shells, have tungsten carbide bearing sleeves and outer 15 per cent of blade is tapered in chord and thickness.
• Tailboom strengthened against 23 mm hits, and airframe has infra-red suppressant paint finish.
• Continuing programmes are ensuring the continued capabilities of the HueyCobra by the retrofit of improved sighting systems, provision for Stinger AAMs, laser warning systems, and engine enhancements.

VARIANTS:

AH-1G

• The initial version of the Ah-1.
• Production of the AH-1G totalled 1,119 for the US Army. 38 were later transferred to the US Marine Corps.

TH-1Q

• Converted Ah-1Gs, the TH-1Q are converted dual-control trainers.

AH-1Q

• 92 variants of the AH-1Q were converted from the AH-1G standard to fire TOW missiles.

AH-1R

• This conversion of the AH-1G includes the 1342 kW (1,800 shp) T53-L-703 turboshaft engine but no TOW capability.

Modified AH-1S

• This designation applies to the 245 AH-1Gs and 92 AH-1Q helicopters retrofitted with a TOW system and the powerplant of the AH-1R.

Production AH-1S

• The production AH-1S (from 1987 AH-1P) helicopters included improved avionics and an uprated powerplant and transmission.

Up-Gun AH-1S

• 98 of these viariants (later redesignated AH-1E) included the uprated powerplant and transmission as the Production AH-1S, but with a universal 20/30mm cannon turret and other refinements.

Modernized AH-1S

• 151 Modernized AH-1S (later AH-1F) helicopters were made, which included the AH-1P and AH-1E improvements as well as new air data, Doppler navigation and fire-control systems.

POWER PLANT:

• One 1,342 kW (1,800 shp) Textron Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft.
• Closed circuit refuelling on AH-1F.
• Fuel capacity is 980 litres (259 US gallons; 216 Imp gallons).
• Upward-facing exhaust on AH-1E, IR suppression nozzle on AH-1F.

ARMAMENT:

• M65 system with eight Hughes TOW missiles, disposed as two two-round clusters on each outboard underwing station.
• Inboard wing stations remain available for other stores, such as Stinger AAMs and rocket-launcher pods.
• Beginning with first AH-1E, M28 (7.62/40 mm) turret in earlier HueyCobras replaced by new electrically powered General Electric universal turret, designed to accommodate 20 mm weapon and improve standoff capability, although only 20 mm M197 three-barrel cannon (with 750 rounds) mounted in this turret.
• Rate of fire: 675 rds/min.
• Turret position is controlled by pilot or co-pilot/gunner through helmet sights, or by co-pilot using M65 TOW missile system's telescopic sight unit.