AH-1 Cobra

During Operation Desert Storm, the US Army deployed 140 AH-1 Cobras of various models in forward operations from forward air bases. Three AH-1's were lost in accidents during fighting and afterward. Cobras destroyed Iraqi armored vehicles, munitions, transport vehicles artillery and various targets in the fighting.

General characteristics

· Crew: two: one pilot, one co-pilot/gunner (CPG)

· Length: 53 ft (16.1 m) (with both rotors turning))

· Rotor diameter: 44 ft (13.6 m)

· Height: 13 ft 6 in (4.12 m)

· Empty Weight: 6,600 lb (2,993 kg)

· Max. Takeoff Weight: 10,000 lb (4,500 kg)

· Rotor system: 2 blades on main rotor, 2 blades on tail rotor

· Fuselage length: 44 ft 7 in (13.6 m)

· Stub wing span: 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)

· Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft, 1,800 shp (1,300 kW)

Performance

· Never Exceed Speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h)

· Maximum Speed: 149 knots (172 mph, 277 km/h)

· Range: 274 nmi (315 mi, 510 km)

· Service Ceiling: 12,200 ft (3,720 m)

· Rate of Climb: 1,620 ft/min (8.2 m/s)

Armament

· General Dynamics 20 mm (0.787 in) M197 3 barreled Gatling cannon

· Hydra 70 2.75 in (70 mm) rockets – 7 rockets mounted in the M260 launcher or 19 rockets in the M261 launcher

· TOW Missiles– 4 or 8 missiles mounted in two-missile launchers on each hardpoint