CHOPPERS

nnnnnSnSince the Korean war, where the helicopter probed to be an insustituible combat tool, the idea of transform the chopper in a weapon went on for many years; many models were designed, and several prototypes were built, but the first an only attack helicopter good enough to become a terrifyng weapon was the Bell 209 AH-1-G, in middle 60's. This is the predecessor of the AH1 Huey. Later, the AH1W SuperCobra followed in the serie. First developed for the army, the US Marine Corps grew interested and ordered 46 AH-1J Sea Cobras. In mid-70's, an order for 20 more was placed. The last two were the base from which to develope an improved model, de AH1-T. Forty two of this were upgraded to AHW SuperCobras. The US Marine Corps cut the order form 190 to 154, but the SuperCobra is serving now in Turxey and Taiwan. The British refused a version ofered to them, the Venom.

The SuperCobra actually in service with the USMC was not outphased by the Apache or the Longbow. Now the SuperCobra is in a process of upgrading to AH4BW SuperCobra, with a four-blade rotor much more capable than the two blade rotor, improving maneover and avionics.

The Snake has an impressive weapon range. The SuperCobra 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 15 km. 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 15 km. The SuperCobra can also fire a range of rockets, for example 70 mm rockets armed with submunition warheads or the larger 12.7 cm Zuni rocket bombs. The SuperCobra carries a three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2 km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by manoeuvring the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight, and aim the gun by looking at the target. The SuperCobra 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 15 km. 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 15 km.

The SuperCobra can also fire a range of rockets, for example 70 mm rockets armed with submunition warheads or the larger 12.7 cm Zuni rocket bombs. The SuperCobra carries a three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2 km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by manoeuvring the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight, and aim the gun by looking at the target. The SuperCobra 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 15 km. 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 15 km. The SuperCobra can also fire a range of rockets, for example 70 mm rockets armed with submunition warheads or the larger 12.7 cm Zuni rocket bombs. The SuperCobra carries a three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2 km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by manoeuvring the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight, and aim the gun by looking at the target.