Bell AH-1S Cobra
Existing AH-1G and AH-1Q Cobras were converted to AH-1S aircraft under the Improved Cobra Agility and Maneuverability Program (ICAM) and used the more powerful T53-L-703 powerplant. Initial AH-1S Cobras (AH-1S Modified) retained the 7.62mm minigun chin turret and 8 TOW missile hardpoints of the AH-1Q. An interim version (the "up-gunned" or AH-1S Production) replaced the minigun with a single M197 three-barreled cannon. A flat-panel canopy was also fitted. The final, fully modified configuration (AH-1S Modernized) added a distinctive extended exhaust nozzle and AN/AAS-32 laser tracker on the forward end of the rotor pylon fairing. All variants were officially designated AH-1S in 1987.
Overview
Data on design, manufacture and statusDesign authority: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
Primary manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
Parent type: Bell Model 209/AH-1 Cobra
Aircraft status: Operational
Configuration
Primary flight and mechanical characteristicsVTOL type: Helicopter
Lift devices: 1 Single main rotor
Dedicated control device: 1 Tail rotor
Crew required: TBA in Tandem arrangement
Landing gear: Skids
Key Characteristics
Data on key physical featuresAircraft Details
Data on aircraft configuration, weights, flight performance and equipmentReferences
References and sources usedAerofax, Arlington TX, 1988 (page 38)
Book
Aerofax Datagraph 4
Technical Manual TM 55-1520-221-10, 1967 (page 53)
Report or Technical Manual
US Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity, Edwards Air Force Base, October 1979 (page 17)
Report or Technical Manual
Defense Technical Information Center / USAAEFA Report No. 77-38. Contains specifications on K747 and B540 main rotor blades.
