AH-1J Sea Cobra

Operating from USS Denver and then from USS Cleveland, in August 1972 HMA-369 AH-1J Sea Cobra helicopters attacked North Vietnamese water transport targets Object Notes AH-1J Sea Cobra, Serial 070280 The Bell AH-1J SeaCobra on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum is a composite example of this workhorse attack helicopter that was assembled for use as a maintenance training platform. It arrived at the museum during 1991 in several parts from Naval Air Maintenance Training Group Detachment (NAMTRAGRUDET) 1030 at Marine Corpse Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, California. Referred to as "AH-1J COMPOSITE TRAINER," its elements were painted Marine green when received. In order to make the aircraft suitable for display, the museum procured rotor blades from the U.S. Army's Aviation and Troop Command storage at Fort Drum, New York. Notes The U.S. Marine Corps' interest in procuring a dedicated attack helicopter came after observing the Army's AH-1G Cobra in action in the skies over Vietnam. Preferring a twin-engined version for improved safety in over-water operations, Marine aviation leaders also desired a more potent turret-mounted weapon. Bell Helicopter Company, the maker of the AH-1G, received a contract for 49 twin-engined AH-1J Sea Cobras in May 1968. The AH-1J was equipped with a forward gun turret featuring a three barrel 20 mm XM197 rapid-fire gun based on the six barrel M61 Vulcan gun. The AH-1J first flew in 1969, with deployment commencing by 1971. During the closing months of U.S. combat in Vietnam the Marine Corps embarked AH-1J Sea Cobras assigned to Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMA) 369 in the amphibious assault ships Denver (LPD 9), Cleveland (LPD 7), and Dubuque (LPD 8) as part of Operation MARHUK, interdicting small boat traffic ferrying cargo from merchant ships to landing sites off the North Vietnamese coast and also venturing overland to attack antiaircraft sites and truck traffic. Subsequent versions of the SeaCobra included the AH-1T, developed initially for Iran, and used by the Marines, with provision for the Hughes BGM-71A TOW guided anti-tank missiles and the AH-1W Super Cobra, the current version of the helicopter. It operates from Navy amphibious warfare helicopter carriers and forward bases in support of embarked Marine Corps expeditionary forces. The AH-1W can carry a variety of weapons beneath the stubby wings on either side of its slender fuselage, including the TOW and Hellfire missiles for use against enemy tanks. The M197 20-millimeter triple-barrel cannon in the nose turret is capable of firing up to 690 rounds per minute. As testament to their potent firepower, AH-1Ws destroyed 97 tanks and 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles during Operation Desert Storm and they provide an umbrella of close air support for Marines operating against insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. The AH-1Z Viper, incorporating redesigned stub wings that provided stations for AIM-9 Sidewinders and two additional points for 70mm Hydra rocket pods or quad AGM-114 launchers plus advanced surveillance electronics, first flew in December 2000. Production began in October 2003, with operational service slated to commence in 2011. Specifications for AH-1J Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Company Dimensions: Length: 53 ft., 4 in.; Height: 13 ft., 8 in.; Rotor Diameter: 44 ft. Weights: Empty: 6,518 lb.; Gross Weight: 9,637 lb. Power Plant: Two 1,800 horsepower Pratt & Whitney T400-CP engines Performance: Maximum Speed: 207 M.P.H.; Service Ceiling: 10,550 ft.; Range: 359 miles Armament: One fixed forward-firing 20mm cannon and rocket tubes Crew: Pilot and gunner/observer Aircraft in the Museum Collection AH-1J- On indoor static display AH-1J (BuNo 157761)- On loan to Naval Air Station/ Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana AH-1J (BuNo 159226)- On loan to Bell Helicopter AH-1J (BuNo 157795)- On loan to Naval Air Station (NAS) Atlanta, Georgia AH-1J (BuNo 159227)- On loan to Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Patuxent River, Maryland AH-1J (BuNo 157771)- On loan to Prairie Aviation Museum, Bloomington, Illinois AH-1G (Serial Number 67-15645)- On loan to Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Patuxent River, Maryland