Bell AH-1 Cobra facts for kids

The AH-1 Cobra, a powerful attack helicopter.

The AH-1 Cobra is a famous American military helicopter. It is known as an attack helicopter, which means it's built to fight. The Bell Helicopter company made it. This helicopter has one engine. Its very first flight was on September 7, 1967.

The United States Army no longer uses the single-engine AH-1 Cobra. They replaced it with a newer helicopter called the AH-64 Apache. However, some other countries, like Israel and Iran, still use the single-engine AH-1 Cobra. The United States Marine Corps uses a different version called the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra, which has two engines.

The Cobra helicopter carries different kinds of weapons:

• Two 7.62 mm multi-barrel miniguns or two M129 Grenade launchers.
• Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets, which are small rockets.
• A powerful cannon called the M61 Vulcan.

History of the Cobra in Action

An AH-1G Cobra flying over Vietnam during the war.

The AH-1 Cobra has been used in many important military operations around the world. It has helped soldiers in various conflicts.

United States Military Use

The AH-1 Cobra played a big role for the United States military:

• Vietnam War (1968-1975): It was used during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and throughout the Vietnam War. Its jobs included attacking enemy forces on the ground and protecting transport helicopters.
• Operation Urgent Fury (1983): During the 1983 Invasion of Grenada, Cobras flew missions to support ground troops and escort other helicopters.
• Operation Just Cause (1989): It was also used in the invasion of Panama in 1989.
• Gulf War (1990-1991): Cobras took part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War.
• Operation Restore Hope (1993): The helicopter was deployed to Somalia in 1993.
• Operation Uphold Democracy (1994): It was used during the 1994 Invasion of Haiti.

Iran's Use of the Cobra

• Iran-Iraq War: Iran used the AH-1 Cobra during the Iran–Iraq War.

Israel's Use of the Cobra

An Israeli Air Force AH-1 Cobra in action.

• The AH-1 Cobra's first combat mission in Israel was on May 9, 1979.
• Since then, it has been used in many operations against groups in Lebanon.
• One very important operation was during the 1982 Lebanon War.

Pakistan's Use of the Cobra

• Balochistan Conflict: Pakistan has used the Cobra in the Balochistan conflict.
• It was also used in operations against groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and against tribes that supported them.

Images for kids

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  Bell Model 207 Sioux Scout

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  Bell 209 prototype of the AH-1 Cobra series, with skids retracted (FAA no. N209J)

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  An AH-1S Cobra, 1986

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  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force AH-1S Cobra, April 2014

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  USMC and Royal Jordanian Air Force Cobras, May 2012

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  Philippine Air Force Bell AH-1F

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  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force AH-1S

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  U.S. Forest Service Bell 209 on the Bar Complex Fire in California

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  AH-1P front cockpit (restoration)

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  AH-1P rear cockpit (restoration)

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  Red Bull (Flying Bulls) TAH-1F at Berlin Tempelhof Airport

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  USFS Bell 209 during the California wildfires of October 2007

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  An Israeli AH-1F Cobra

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  AH-1F Cobra on display at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

See also

In Spanish: Bell AH-1 Cobra para niños