Bell AH-1W Super Cobra (Republic of China)

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Hello everyone! Today I would like to present to you the Bell AH-1W Super Cobra of the Republic of China Army.

 

 

History:

The Bell AH-1W Super Cobra was the final variation of the Super Cobra line; a twin engine configuration of the Cobra and further development of the Sea Cobra. The AH-1W's twin engine design improved safety while operating over water as required by the United States Marine Corps. Each General Electric T700-401 turboshaft produces 1,700 SHP continuously, but was capable of up to 2,082 SHP for a 30 minute duration. The AH-1W also featured a laser designating system, thermals, and the ability to mount AIM-9 Sidewinders and AGM-114 Hellfires. As early as the 1984, the Republic of China was interested in acquiring a helicopter dedicated to performing a gunship role for its army and considered both the MD500 as well as the Bo 105. Under the program Lu Peng, the ROCA sought to upgrade its helicopter fleet and made a request to purchase 18 AH-1W Super Cobra's alongside OH-58's. The order was officially placed in February 1992, and the first 9 AH-1W's were delivered in April 1993. By the mid 1990's several batches of AH-1W's were purchased and delivered to the ROCA totaling 42 helicopters. In 1997 another order was placed for 21 more AH-1W's, with the final delivery being completed in 2001. The AH-1W Super Cobra's were attached to the 601st and 602nd Air Calvary Brigades located in Longtan, and Hsinsher. Additionally AH-1W's operate with Aviation Training Command in Kueijen. In total the ROCA had received 63 AH-1W Super Cobra's, of these 61 remain in service as of 2020 after two were lost in accidents in 1999 and 2009. The AH-1W currently remains the primary attack helicopter of the ROCA's foreseeable future.

 

 

 

In-Game:

The AH-1W would provide a western flavour to the Chinese tech tree in-game, as well as serving as the first dedicated attack helicopter of the Republic of China. While largely identical to the AH-1Z Viper found in-game, the AH-1W is much more limited in combat loads it could carry out. While effectively able to carry the same types of weapons, the mounting of AIM-9's require a underwing pylon replacing valuable space that may instead be needed for air-to-ground ordnance. There is also the limitations of the ROCA's inventory; only owning AIM-9S Sidewinders for their AH-1W's despite the ROCAF stocking AIM-9L and AIM-9M's in their inventories. 

 

 

Specifications:

 

General characteristics:

 

Crew: two (Pilot, Gunner)

Length: 44 ft 7 in (13.6 m)

Rotor diametre: 48 ft (14.6 m)

Height: 13 ft 5 in (4.1 m)

Empty weight: 10,920 lb (4,953 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 14,750 lb (6,690 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-401 Turboshaft, 2,082 SHP (1,553 kW)

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

Fuselage length: 44 ft 9 in (13.6 m)

Stub wingspan: 10 ft 9 in (3.3 m)

 

Performance:

 

Maximum speed: 219 mph (352 km/h)

Range: 365 mi (587 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 750 rounds

8x BGM-71 TOW-2A/B air-to-ground missiles

8x AGM-114C Hellfire air-to-ground missiles

8x AGM-114K/M Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles

76x 70mm Hydra 70 rockets 

2x AIM-9S Sidewinder infrared air-to-air missiles

 

Other:

 

Engine exhaust infrared suppression

Night Targeting System thermal camera 

AN/ALQ-144 IRCM

AN/APR-39 & AN/APR-44 radar warning receiver

AN/ALE-39 chaff/flare dispenser

Laser rangefinder

Laser designator 

AN/AVS-6 helmet mounted night vision 

 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

 

http://www.taiwanairpower.org/army/ah1w.html

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/中華民國陸軍

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-1眼鏡蛇直升機#AH-1W超級眼鏡蛇

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

NAVAIR 01-HlAAC-1: NATOPS FLIGHT MANUAL,NAVY MODEL, AH-1W HELICOPTER

 

 

Edited October 17, 2020 by Miki_Hoshii

[ItssLuBu 1,798]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,848]

This will be good when China gets its helicopter tree.  +1.

[Black_Woof 123]

German can get Mi24 why can't China get a AH1？ at least this one is useable.

[_Pixy 196]

+1

[tiger7742 260]

+1

[霧 丹爪モ匕口丂 靄 466]

There is no reason to keep this out of Chinese Heli TT, so a +1 from me 

[GomesPT 309]

A good premium for China

[John_JIANG 126]

great premium heli for China!  10.3 looks reasonable.

[Ailb 29]

This looks great, but I don’t think ROC will get her before the United States unless the AH1Z model is applied, but this is unrealistic.

[Yontzee 1,673]

Yeaaaahhhh +1

[CokeSpray 7,272]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.