Michael+Orndoff

During the Vietnam War the need for an attack helicopter became relevant to the United States. A traditional transport helicopter with mounted machine guns and two rocket pods was not going to cut it like it had previously. There was an immediate need for something that could take out tanks and yet be cost effective and easily maneuverable. The Huey Cobra AH-1 was born as the first fully functioning attack helicopter in the United States fleet. ( Bell AH-1 Cobra) In the early 1960’s while in the heat of Vietnam the United States ordered for the development of an attack helicopter to give support for troop helos. By 1962 UH-1’s were deployed by Bell Helicopter Company as a scout and close air support helicopter. In 1965 Bell invested 1 million dollars into the development of the Bell 209 a lighter and more compact design. All this work and money would have been a waste if the Lockheed Cheyenne project had not went over budget and over weight. The 209 program won over 4 other companies to be named the armies main attack helicopter. ( Bell AH-1 Cobra) This helicopter was loaded to the tee. It had every option available at that time. It had two 7.62 multi barrel miniguns or two M129 40 mm grenade launchers. Because of feeding problems the 7.62 was always mounted on the right side. It could carry seven 70 mm rockets in the M158 launcher or nineteen in the M200 launcher. It all depended on the mission of the helicopter to determine the armament for it. ( Bell AH-1 Cobra) It was not only deadly in firepower, but also in agility. It had a maximum speed of 174 miles per hour and a never exceed speed of 219 miles per hour. It had a large range of 357 miles. It had a climb of 6.25 meters a second that means that every second it could elevate almost 19 feet. The highest elevation for it was 11,400 feet that is more than two miles! The height of this helicopter was 13 and half feet tall and the length was 53 feet long. It weighs 5,810 pounds with a max of 9,500 pounds. That’s almost 5 tons! It had one Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft engine that produced 1,100 shp. It only had two blades on the main rotor. ( Bell AH-1 Cobra) The Cobra was a very popular helicopter, but there was a need for a heavier powered helicopter. So they took the idea of the Cobra and expanded it and bulked it up to create the AH-1Z Viper. The viper was introduced in September 2010 to the Marine Corps. The unit cost 27 million to make compared to the 10 million for the Huey Cobra, but the outcome is definitely worth the risk. (Bell AH-1 Cobra), ( Bell AH-1Z Viper) It has one 20 mm three barreled gattling gun that can hold 750 rounds. It can also carry the 70 mm Hydra 70 rockets in either pods of 7 or 19. Also a new improvement is the add on of guided missiles. It can carry two sidewinder missiles for air to air combat. Or up to 16 Hellfire fire and forget missiles for air to ground. ( Bell AH-1Z Viper)

A major difference is the use of a four bladed rotor instead of just two. The new length is 58 feet 3 inches, and the height is 14 feet 4 inches. Empty it weighs in at 12,300 pounds that’s 3,000 more than the Cobra is fully loaded. And it fully loaded is 18,500 pounds almost ten tons. It has two engines that produce 3,600 shp. ( Bell AH-1Z Viper)

The Cobra had a max speed of 184 miles per hour that is the Viper’s cruise speed. The Viper’s maximum speed is 255 miles per hour. With added power and weight you would think that the range would drop, but for this aircraft it is the opposite. While the Cobra only ranged 357 miles the Viper ranges 426 miles. While the Cobra could climb 6.25 meters a second the Viper can climb 14.2 meters a second! It also has a ceiling of 20,000 feet almost 5 miles. ( Bell AH-1Z Viper) During the Vietnam War the United States deployed an attack helicopter that would change warfare forever. The helicopter not only provided close support back then, but led to the advances in technology so that helicopters could be outfitted with more accurate and deadly weapons to be more useful than ever imagined in the field of battle. Without this helicopter close ground support would still be provided by multi tasking troop transport helicopters. Which put the lives of countless troops in harms way. Works Cited Wikipedia contributors. " Bell AH-1 Cobra." // Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia //. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Apr. 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2011.

Wikipedia contributors. " Bell AH-1Z Viper." // Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia //. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 Apr. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2011.