The Bell AH-1 Cobra

The Bell AH-1 Cobra, known as “Snake,” was the world’s first specifically designed armed attack helicopter. During the Vietnam War, the need for a gunship to protect unarmed helicopters quickly became apparent when many were lost to ground fire. First deployed to Vietnam in September 1967, it later saw action during the invasions of Granada and Panama and in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. The Army removed the Cobra from active service in 1999. The AH-1 was also used to fight forrest fires for the United States Forrest Service. Other countries that currently utilize the AH-1 are Bahrain, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey. Its crew consisted of 2, with the pilot in the rear seat and the gunner in the front seat, and its specifications included a speed of 175 mph, a weight of 14,750lbs, a maximum range of 395 miles, a length of 58 ft., a width of 38 in., and armament including a chin-mounted 20 mm cannon, 8 Tow missiles, 19-shot 70mm rocket pods, wing mount rockets, cluster munitions, napalm, stinger missiles, and a mini gun.

St. Cloud, Florida · United States