NationStates Jolt Archive


Helicopter storefront

Argyllia
23-12-2003, 09:14
Only helicopters are sold, orders will be confirmed on the thread.

AH-1
HueyCobra

Armed helicopters came into widespread use in Vietnam in the early Sixties. Limitations of the modified armed utility helicopters used led to the specially configured attack helicopter.

Bell Helicopter (now Bell Helicopter Textron) had already evolved the first attack helicopter design, based on the use of UH-1 Huey dynamics (rotors, drives, engine) with a new fuselage. Bell also built a company-sponsored, scaled-down prototype using H-13/Model 47 series components, its Model 207 Sioux Scout.

While the Army went forward with its sophisticated AAFSS (advanced aerial fire support system) program to provide an attack helicopter, Bell proceeded with another company-sponsored prototype, Model 209, using the Huey dynamics and an airframe similar to the initial design. The 209 first flew in September 1965. The urgent need for greater armed helicopter performance in Vietnam and the success of the 209 led to Army orders for prototypes and production models of the 209 as interim attack helicopters, pending production of the AAFSS (which, finally, was never to occur). Carried over from the 209 were the slim fuselage with tandem cockpits (gunner in front of pilot), the Lycoming T-53 engine, stub wings with store stations and the under nose turret. Its retractable skid landing gear was replaced by a fixed gear. As the AH-1G, the Huey Cobra went into combat in September 1967.

The Marines also operated armed Hueys in Vietnam, and ordered their own version of the Cobra in May 1968. Featuring the Pratt and Whitney Twinpac T400 engine (two 900-hp turboshaft engines coupled together) giving an overall increase in installed power, the AH-1J Sea Cobra included a new nose turret gun, the three barrel XM-197 20mm and other improvements. While development and production of the first 49 ordered were under way, the Marines obtained 38 AH-1Gs from the Army. After initial training of Marines by the Army, Marine Huey Cobras first became operational in April 1969 with VMO-2 in Vietnam. In December 1969, the AH-1Gs were transferred to HML-367. After flight tests beginning that same month and subsequent BIS trials, the first AH-1Js joined them in February 1971, entering combat the following month. AH-1Js, including those of HMA-369, participated in SEAsia operations until final withdrawal and continued as the Marine's attack helicopter afterwards, a total of 67 being delivered. The Marine AH-1Gs became the reserve helicopter attack squadron's aircraft.

With increasing demands for higher performance, particularly greater load-carrying capability in high temperature conditions, Bell developed improved dynamic components for the Huey series. Application of these components, which included a larger diameter rotor, led to the 309 attack helo in the early Seventies. This allowed an increased payload, providing more combat capability. The subsequent Marine-ordered version of the King Cobra was designated the AH-1T. In addition to the modifications for improved combat effectiveness, major efforts were made to incorporate the lessons of the Cobra experience in achieving greater reliability and maintainability. With the TOW missile system added to its weapons, the AH-1T gave Marines a ground attack capability far beyond that first envisioned by their predecessors who took the first Marine Huey Cobras into combat in the late 1960s.

An upgrade to the AT-1T, the AH-1W was received in 1986. The AH-1W Super Cobra provides full night-fighting capability with the Night Targeting System (NTS). The Super Cobra is armed with a 20mm turret gun, TOW, Hellfire, Sidewinder, Sidearm missiles, and 5 inch or 2.75 inch rockets. Future upgraded and modifications for the AH-1W are underway or in the planning stages.



Technical data is for AH-1S. Photos are of AH-1W (twin engine), AH-1S, AH1G, and AH-1Z.


Nation: USA
Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Co.
Type: Attack Helicopter
Year: 1965 (first AH-1G)
Power Plant: Two GE-T700-GE-401 turbine engines (1690 SHP Each)
Rotor Diameter: 44 ft
Fuselage Length: 44 ft 7 in
Overall Length: 52 ft 11.5 in
Height: 13 ft 6 in
Empty Weight: 6,598 lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 14,750 lbs
Max Speed: 160 kts
Cruise Speed: 120-130 KIAS
Ceiling: 12,200 ft
Range: 315 miles (sea level, 8% reserve)
Time on Station: 2+00, 2+30 With 77 gal. Aux Tank
Crew: 2, Pilot in Rear Seat, Co-pilot/Gunner in Front Seat
Load/Armament:
8 Precision Guided Missiles (PGM's), either Hellfires, TOW's, or a combination of the two, on two PGM stations
2.75" or 5.00" Folding fin aerial rockets (FFAR)
Sidearm Anti-Radiation Missile
Sidewinder air-to-air, heat-seaking missile (takes up one PGM station)
20mm Cannon capable of firing semi-armor piercing rounds at a rate of 650 rounds per minute, 750 round magazine.
Laser Designator and Range Finder
Capable of lasing under three different codes, which can be set inside the cockpit both both PGMs and Laser Guided Bombs.
Also capable to get a 10-digit mapgrid by lasing a target.
Internal GPS/INS
ARC-210 Radios with Havquick and SINCGARS
Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), TV Camera, and direct view optics
ALE-39, ALQ-144(IR Jammer), APR-39, and APR-44
Video Camera Recorder (VCR)

The AH-1W was designed for several specific missions:

Offensive Air Support (OAS)
Deep Air Support (DAS)
Close Air Support (CAS)
Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance (SCAR)
Escort
Surface Escort
Assault Escort
Forward Air Controller (Airborne)
Call for fire
Armed Reconnaissance
Information and top photo courtesy of Captain Garrett "Rainman" Hoffman, HMM-266, MCAS New River, North Carolina.

Cost: 7m USD

AH-64 Apache

Nation: USA
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Type: Attack Helicopter
Year: 1984
Engine: 2 General Electric T700-701C turboshaft, 1,857 shp
Rotor Diameter: 48 ft
Tail Rotor Diameter: 9' 2"
Fuselage Length: 49 ft 1 in
Overall Length: 58 ft 3 in
Height: 16 ft 9.5 in
Empty Weight: 10,760 lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 21,000 lb
Max Speed: 186 mph (level), 227 mph (never exceeded powerdive)
Ceiling: 10,200 ft (hover)
Range: 428 miles
Crew: 2
Load/Armament: 1 M230A1 30mm chain gun; 4 underwing hardpoints for Hellfire and Hydra 70 rockets. Typical loadout is 8 Hellfire and 38 Hydra 70 (in 2 17 rocket pods).

Cost: 24m USD

OH-58D
Kiowa
Warrior

Nation: USA
Manufacturer: Bell Heliciopter Co.
Type: Light Observation Helicopter
Year: 1968 (OH-58A)
Engine: Allison 250-C30R turboshaft, 650 shp
Rotor Diameter: 35 ft 4 in
Fuselage Length:
Overall Length: 40 ft 11.75 in
Height: 9 ft 6.5 in
Empty Weight: 2,825 lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 5,200 lb
Max Speed: 139 mph
Ceiling: 19,000 ft
Range: 299 miles (sea level, no weapons, 10% reserve)
Crew: 2
Load/Armament: 2 wing pylons for gun pods, rockets, or missiles (can mount up to 4 hellfire missiles)

Cost: 16m USD

V-22
Osprey

General Characteristics:

Spread: Folded:
Length: 57 ft 4 inches 62 ft 7 inches
Width: 84 ft 7 inches 18 ft 5 inches
Height: 22 ft 7 inches 18 ft 1 inch


Wingspan: 50.92 ft
Weight: 55,000 lbs (VTOL/STOL), 60,500 lbs (Self Deploy STO)
Power: 2 x Allison T406-AD-400 6,150 shp
Rotor: 38 Feet wide, Graphite/Fiberglass construction
Speed: 275 knots
Climb: 2,320 feet per minute max
Crew: 2
Passenger Capacity: 24 Fully-Equipped troops or 12 litters
Ceiling: 26,000 ft max, 11,300 ft (one engine)
Range: 515 Nautical Miles
Take-Off Weight: 60,500 lbs max
Empty Weight: 33,140 lbs
Cargo Hook: 15,000 lbs max
Length: 57.33 ft
Width: 83.33 ft (rotors turning)
Sponson Fuel Cap.: 1,228 Gals
Wing Fuel Cap.: 787 Gals


Miscellaneous Other Features


Operates as a helicopter for VTOL, operates as a TurboProp a/c
Nacelles rotate 90 degrees forward (Full Vertical to Full Horizontal)
Transmission interconnect shaft in case of engine failure
Folds for shipboard storage
70% composite construction
Crashworthy troop/crew seats
2 x 10,000 lb external cargo hooks for heavy external loads
Rescue Hoist
Internal cargo winch and pulley system for internal loads
Aft Loading Ramp
Capable of Day/Night NOE flying
Capable of in-flight refueling


The US armed services plan on using this aircraft in a myriad of different environments. To be specific:

Marines
Designation: MV-22 Purpose: Amphibious assault transport of troops, equipment, and supplies from assault ships and land bases.

Navy
Designation: HV-22
Purpose: Strike Rescue, delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams, and logistics transportation in support of the fleet.

Air Force
Designation: CV-22
Purpose: Long Range special operations missions, insertion and extraction of special forces teams and equipment at mission radii in excess of 500 nm.

Army
Designation: MV-22
Purpose: Aeromedical evacuation, special operations, long range combat logistics support, combat air assault and low intensity conflict support.

Cost: 45m USD

Sikorsky
UH-60
Black Hawk

Technical data is for UH-60A.

Nation: USA
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Type: Multirole Utility/Transport Helicopter
Year: 1976
Engine: 2 General Electric T700-700 turboshafts, 1,560 shp each
Rotor Diameter: 53 ft 8 in
Fuselage Length: 41 ft 4 in
Overall Length: 64 ft 10 in
Height: 16 ft 10 in
Empty Weight: 10,624 lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 20,250 lb
Max Speed: 184 mph
Ceiling: 10,400 ft (hover)
Range: 373 miles (max. weight, 30 min. reserve)
Crew: 2
Load/Armament: 2 M60 7.62mm machine guns variety of external stores if wings are mounted 11-14 troops or 8,000 lb cargo

Cost: 15m USD