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Bell 309 KingCobra
Photo: Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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Bell309KingCobra

Attack Helicopters · United States · 1971
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Bell309KingCobra

Bell 309 KingCobra
Bell 309 KingCobra Photo: Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
60
Anti-Armour Capability
55
Survivability
50
Sensors & Targeting
40
Agility
65
Range & Endurance
55
Night Capability
30
Reliability
45
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
30
Origin United States
ManufacturerBell Textron
CategoryAttack Helicopters
EraCold War
In service1971–1972
Operators1 countries
Quantity2
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
50
Attack Helicopters MASS Rating
21/21
Cold War
42/45
All-Time
Attack Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Firepower
60
Anti-Armour Capability
55
Survivability
50
Sensors & Targeting
40
Agility
65
Range & Endurance
55
Night Capability
30
Reliability
45
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
30
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the attack helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell 309 KingCobra
Prime contractor
Production
1971–1972
Quantity
2
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ATTACK HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
21
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
20
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
50
attack helicopters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the attack helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
  • First Flight1971
  • Crew2
  • Primary Roleattack helicopter
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant5MOD.5
  • Engine TypeLycoming T55-L-7C
  • Number of Engines2
  • Engine Power (each)1,340 kW
  • Rotor Configurationmain rotor with forward‑swept tips
  • Main Rotor Diameter14.6 m
▣Performance2MOD.2
  • Top Speed294.443 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)370.368 km/h
◇Dimensions & Weights2MOD.2
  • Fuselage Length15.5 m
  • Empty Weight4.049 kg
◆Armament & Mission2MOD.2
⬢Production2MOD.2
  • Total Built2
  • Variants3
▲Service History1MOD.1
  • Operational Statusprototype, never entered service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1971Production started
  2. 1972Production ended
55
years in service
1
years in production
2
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Anti-Tank Guided Missile: a missile designed to destroy tanks.
Combined forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and electro-optical (EO) sensor turret for target acquisition and tracking, typically mounted on aircraft or ground vehicles.
A radar system that tracks targets and guides weapons to intercept them, used for weapon aiming and missile guidance in combat aircraft and ships.
A helmet-mounted system that projects flight, targeting, and sensor data directly into a pilot's field of view.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Attack Helicopters entry →