Fuji AH-1S Step III Cobra

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Hello everyone! Today I would like to present to you the Fuji AH-1S Cobra operated by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force!

 

With the announcement of helicopters as new rotor based aircraft set to join the air; I decided now would be the best time to start suggesting helicopters that the JGSDF operated. Our first look is the license produced version of the Bell AH-1 Cobra!

 

 

 

History:

The Bell AH-1 paved the way for attack helicopter development; proving itself and the concept of a small, yet potent attack helicopter over the jungles of Vietnam. The JGSDF were interested in such a machine and procured two AH-1S Step II (AH-1E's) for testing. After successful testing the vehicle was selected for licensed production. In 1982 production for a locally produced version of the AH-1 Cobra was underway with Fuji Heavy Industries. The AH-1S was a Step III modification licensed produced Kawasaki T-53-K-703 turboshaft making 1800 SHP. Being a Step III modification the Fuji AH-1S was equipped with composite rotors, flat plate glass, redesigned cockpit layout, M197 20mm cannon, M147 RMS, Heads up display, infrared exhaust suppressor, and the M143 ADS. A Step III AH-1S in the US is known as the AH-1F Cobra, however the AH-1S Step III in JGSDF lacks the infrared jammer, chaff/flare dispensers, and laser rangefinders found on US Army helicopters. Beginning with the 73rd production helicopter in 1991 the Fuji AH-1S Cobra was equipped with a nose mounted FLIR imaging device known as C-NITE; Helicopters prior to the 73rd production model have also been retrofitted with C-NITE. Additionally, all AH-1S's in later service received intake shields to protect the intake from rocket ingestion. Production stretched from 1982 until 2000 with a total of 90 produced. The Fuji AH-1S remains to be the primary attack helicopter in the JGSDF arsenal with 59 flying as of 2017. 

 

 

 

In-Game:

The Fuji AH-1S will likely be the most common Japanese helicopters in War Thunder. It's also easy to add, being just slightly more than a minor remodel if the late version is added. The Fuji AH-1S is identical to the US Army AH-1F besides the fact that the AH-1F is equipped with IRCM, and could also be equipped with a flare dispenser. The AH-1S Step III would differ from the earlier prototype Step II's with the access to night vision, TOW-2 missiles, and thermal imaging for the late AH-1S Step II model.

 

 

Specifications:

 

General characteristics:

 

Crew: two (Pilot, Gunner)

Length: 53 ft (16.1 m)

Rotor diametre: 44 ft (13.6 m)

Height: 13 ft 6 in (4.12 m)

Empty weight: 6,600 lb (2,993 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 10,000 lb (4,500 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Kawasaki T-53-K-703 Turboshaft, 1,800 SHP (1,300 kW)

Rotor system: 2 x primary blades, 2 x tail blades

Fuselage length: 44 ft 7 in (13.6 m)

Stub wingspan: 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)

 

Performance:

 

Never exceed speed: 196 mph (315 km/h)

Maximum speed: 172 mph (277 km/h)

Range: 315 mi (510 km)

Service ceiling: 12,200 ft (3,720 m)

Rate of climb: 1,620 ft/min (8.2 m/s)

 

Armament:

 

1x 20mm M197 with 760 rounds

76x 70mm Hydra 70 rockets 

8x BGM-71 TOW/TOW-2 Missiles

 

Other:

 

Engine exhaust infrared suppression

AN/APR-39A radar warning receiver

AN/ALQ-136 radar jammer

JAVN-V6 helmet mounted night vision

 

Other (Late production):

 

Engine exhaust infrared suppression

AN/APR-39A radar warning receiver 

AN/ALQ-136 radar jammer

C-NITE Thermal imaging

JAVN-V6 helmet mounted night vision

 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-1_コブラ#日本

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_AH-1_Cobra

https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/koukuuki/AH1S.html

http://takaoka.zening.info/JSDF/JGSDF/AH-1S.htm

Edited November 27, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii
Added "Step III" to the title as this suggestion doesnt encompass the Step II anymore

[leroyonly 4,310]

Open for discussion. 

[Maki3006 2,690]

Of course! <3

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

One of two American built Bell AH-1S Step II (AH-1E) photographed in 1982. Could possibly be a premium CBT bundle?

 

 

Early production Fuji AH-1S shown in 1995. Notice the lack of intake shields in comparison to the AH-1S shown in the original post.

 

 

[leroyonly 4,310]

1 hour ago, Miki_Hoshii said:

One of two American built Bell AH-1S Step II (AH-1E) photographed in 1982. Could possibly be a premium CBT bundle?

If you want it, make it suggestion for it :3 Very nice paintjob though. 

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Update: Removed the option for the AH-1S Step II from the poll due to the creation of a separate thread. Thank you for your understanding.

[Wiggly_Armed_Man 2,383]

I want this added, the 20 mm daka looks fun. +1

 

Edit: Unless the late production model has some unforeseen OP improvement, I think both would make nice additions.

Edited February 11, 2019 by Necro_Vin

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

41 minutes ago, Necro_Vin said:

I want this added, the 20 mm daka looks fun. +1

 

Edit: Unless the late production model has some unforeseen OP improvement, I think both would make nice additions.

Thanks for the support! The late production is equipped with a thermal targeting system for the gunner, and intake shields to prevent rocket gas injestion into the turbine of the helicopter. There should be no issues with implementation.

Edited February 11, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 to this, giving Japan a licensed cobra sounds fine by me.

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Updated information.

 

JGSDF AH-1S Step III's lacked the infrared jammer (IRCM) found on AH-1F's used by the US Army, and only were equipped with infrared exhaust suppression systems. JGSDF AH-1S also lacked laser rangefinders, and chaff/flare dispensers.

 

Added specifications:

 

Engine exhaust suppression 

Edited March 26, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Due to night vision & thermal equipment being added i've added the following information in specifications. Both are for late production/retrofitted AH-1S

 

JAVN-A6 helmet mounted night vision 

C-NITE Thermal imaging 

Edited August 27, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Added the AN/APR-39A radar warning receiver &  AN/ALQ-136 radar jammer to both variants of the AH-1S Step III.

Edited September 3, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Wiggly_Armed_Man 2,383]

Hopefully they add the TOW-2s to the Kisarazu too, it doesn't make since that they would continue to do use the basic TOW when the TOW-2 was introduced in 1983, seventeen years before producing of the AH-1S would halt.

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.

[leroyonly 4,310]

As the AH-1S Step III Cobra Early & Late have been added as per update 1.99 Starfighters,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.