No. 4: AH-1 Cobra
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopters
Type: Attack Helicopter
Powerplant: 2 X General Electric T700-Ge-401 Turboshafts
Principal Armament: 1 X M197 Three Barrel 20-mm Gun, 16 X Hellfire Anti-Tank Missiles, 76 X 70-mm Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets
Maximum Cruising Speed: 173 mph
In January 1965, Bell invested heavily on a prototype for a radically new chopper. Taking the proven transmission, rotor system and the turboshaft of the Huey UH-1, they designed a tandem-seat helicopter that had only one thing on its mind: all out attack!
The Cobra went into full production just as the war in
Vietnam was expanding. The need for closer air support for troops on the ground had become a priority, and the AH-1 would fly straight into battle.
