International Directory of Military Aircraft, 1996/97 - Softcover

Gerard Frawley And Jim Thorn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 187567120X ISBN 13: 9781875671205

Publisher: Aerospace Publications, 1996

Synopsis

The inaugural and since superseded edition of the only biennial directory of the world's military aircraft. It features over 280 individual military aircraft types (from the Eurofighter to the UH-60 Black Hawk, MiG-21, C-130 Hercules and T-6 Texan) and their many individual variants that are currently in service or under development. Each aircraft listing features a photograph and details of its powerplant/s, performance, weights, dimensions, armament, accommodation, operators, and development and operational history. In addition it contains a listing of the inventories of the world's air arms and a concise review of the major developments and trends of the past two years in the world of military aviation. Full colour with 300+ photographs.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

The following is the International Directory of Military Aircraft's entry for the Bell AH-1F and AH-1S HueyCobra attack helicopter. The style is representative of the 280 or so other aircraft entries in the book.

Country of Origin: United States of America

Type: Attack helicopter

Powerplant: AH-1F - One 1340kW (1800shp) Textron Lycoming T53-L-703 turboshaft driving two bladed main and tail rotors.

Performance: AH-1F - Max level speed 227km/h (123kt). Max initial rate of climb 1620ft/min. Service ceiling 12,200ft. Hovering ceiling in ground effect 12,200ft. Range 507km (275nm).

Weights: AH-1F - Operating empty 2993kg (6598lb), normal takeoff 4525kg (9975lb), max takeoff 4535kg (10,000lb).

Dimensions: AH-1F - Main rotor diameter 13.41m (44ft 0in), length overall rotors turning 16.18m (53ft 1in), fuselage length 13.59m (44ft 7in), height to top of rotor head 4.09m (13ft 5in). Main rotor disc area 141.3m2 (1520.2sq ft).

Accommodation: Copilot/gunner (in front cockpit) and pilot in tandem.

Armament: Eight Hughes TOW anti armour missiles on the outboard stations of two stub wings. Can carry rockets and machine gun pods. General Electric nose mounted three barrel 20mm gun turret can be slaved to helmet mounted sights.

Operators: Bahrain, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, Romania*, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, USA.

History: The world's first operational dedicated two seat helicopter gunship, the HueyCobra was initially intended to be an interim design pending the introduction into service of the subsequently cancelled Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne.

The HueyCobra began life as a private venture when in 1965 Bell took the powerplant, transmission and rotor system of the UH-1B/C Iroquois and matched them to a new fuselage featuring seating for two in tandem, stub wings to carry weapons and a nose gun, to result in the Bell 209. The prototype flew for the first time on September 7 1965, just six months after design work had begun. The US Army subsequently ordered the 209 into production as the AH-1G HueyCobra to fulfil an urgent need for an attack helicopter primarily to escort troop carrying UH-1 Iroquois in Vietnam, pending delivery of the troubled AH-56. In all 1078 AH-1Gs were built, many of which saw service in Vietnam, while the AH-56 was cancelled.

The AH-1G was followed up by the AH-1Q, an interim anti armour version capable of firing Hughes TOW anti tank missiles. First flown in 1973, 92 AH-1Gs were converted to AH-1Qs. Combat experience found the AH-1Q's hot and high performance lacking, and resulted in the AH-1S. The AH-1S designation covers staged improvements to the AH-1's powerplant and transmission, armament, avionics and cockpit. New build production AH-1Ss and conversions of the AH-1Qs and AH-1Gs resulted in four separate AH-1S subvariants, the AH-1S(MC) being the definitive standard incorporating all the planned improvements.

In 1989 the US Army redesignated the AH-1S to reflect the different variants. Thus AH-1F covers the AH-1S(MC), while the AH-1S designation now covers AH-1S(MOD) aircraft (converted AH-1Qs), the AH-1P covers early build AH-1Ss, and the AH-1E covers AH-1Ss with improved weapon systems. In 1995 Bell and IAR Brasov signed an agreement covering the licence construction of 96 AH-IFs in Romania. Deliveries will begin in 1999.

About this edition

• Publisher: Aerospace Publications
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 187567120X
• ISBN 13: 9781875671205
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 188