This contractor film for the Bell Textron AH-1S Cobra helicopter focuses on the aircraft’s enhanced chin turret and rocket management system, including a detailed examination of its sub-systems. The turret in this version of the chopper, known as the AH-1E, is equipped with a 20mm M-197 gun, which can shoot 750 rounds per minute. AH-1S aircraft included the M147 Rocket Management Subsystem (RMS) to fire 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets. The baseline AH-1S is an AH-1Q upgraded with a 1,800 shp (1,300 kW) T53-L-703 turboshaft engine. The AH-1S is also referred to as the “Improved AH-1S”, “AH-1S Modified”, or “AH-1S(MOD)” prior to 1988. (Prior to 1988, all upgraded aircraft were referred to as variants of the AH-1S.)
The film was partially shot at the test range at Yuma, Arizona. TOW rocket test firings are shown at the 14:40 mark.
The Bell AH-1 Cobra (company designation: Model 209) is a two-blade, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was developed using the engine, transmission and rotor system of the Bell’s UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.
The AH-1 was the backbone of the United States Army’s attack helicopter fleet, but has been replaced by the AH-64 Apache in Army service. Upgraded versions continue to fly with the militaries of several other nations. The AH-1 twin engine versions remain in service with United States Marine Corps (USMC) as the service’s primary attack helicopter. Surplus AH-1 helicopters have been converted for fighting forest fires. The United States Forest Service refers to their program as the Firewatch Cobra. Garlick Helicopters also converts surplus AH-1s for forest firefighting under the name FireSnake.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
