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Bell AH-1W SuperCobra
Photo: Tieum512 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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BellAH-1WSuperCobra

Attack Helicopters · United States · 1975
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BellAH-1WSuperCobra

Bell AH-1W SuperCobra
Bell AH-1W SuperCobra Photo: Tieum512 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
85
Anti-Armour Capability
80
Survivability
75
Sensors & Targeting
65
Agility
80
Range & Endurance
70
Night Capability
60
Reliability
85
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Origin United States
ManufacturerBell Textron
CategoryAttack Helicopters
EraCold War
In service1975–1990
Operators1 countries
Quantity1,400
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
76
Attack Helicopters MASS Rating
4/21
Cold War
13/45
All-Time
Attack Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Firepower
85
Anti-Armour Capability
80
Survivability
75
Sensors & Targeting
65
Agility
80
Range & Endurance
70
Night Capability
60
Reliability
85
Technology
70
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the attack helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell AH-1W SuperCobra
Prime contractor
Production
1975–1990
Quantity
1,400
Unit Price (current)
$47.9M↗ 498% inflation · 1975→2025
Original Price
$8.0M (1975)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ATTACK HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$47.9M
Original: $8.0M (1975)
Inflation: +%498
76
attack helicopters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the attack helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1975
  • Service Entry Year1977
  • Crew2
  • Passengers0
  • Primary Roleattack helicopter
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric T700 turboshaft
  • Number of Engines2
  • Engine Power (each)1,400 kW
  • Transmission Rating1,400 kW
  • Rotor Configurationsingle main rotor with tail rotor
  • Main Rotor Diameter9.5 m
  • Main Rotor Blades4
  • Anti-Torque Typetail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed285 km/h
  • Cruise Speed250 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)300 km/h
  • Service Ceiling6,100 m
  • Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,000 m
  • Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,500 m
  • Range530 km
  • Ferry Range800 km
  • Rate of Climb9 m/s
  • Endurance120
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Fuselage Length13.5 m
  • Height3.8 m
  • Rotor Disc Area71
  • Empty Weight3,800 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight6,200 kg
  • Useful Load2,400 kg
  • Cabin Volume5.2
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
▲Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built1,400
  • Unit Cost8,000,000 USD
  • Variants3
◎Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2020
  • Production Start1975
  • Production End1990
  • Operational Statusretired from US service, still operated by some export customers
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1975Production started
  2. 1984Entered service
  3. 1990Production ended
51
years in service
15
years in production
1,400
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE15terms
Anti-Tank Guided Missile: a missile designed to destroy tanks.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
Chaff/Flare: Countermeasures deployed by attack helicopters to disrupt radar- or heat-seeking missiles by creating false targets or decoys.
Armored protective panels installed in the cockpit area of an attack helicopter to shield the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel.
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
DIRCM/IRCM systems on attack helicopters that detect and disrupt infrared-guided missiles using directed energy or counter-radiation signals.
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 glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit featuring electronic instrument displays, typically LCD or CRT screens, replacing traditional analog gauges.
A helmet-mounted system that projects flight, targeting, and sensor data directly into a pilot's field of view.
Electronic receiver system that detects and identifies radar signals, alerting aircraft to potential threats for defensive countermeasures.
Aerodynamic containers mounted on aircraft, typically helicopters or fighter jets, that hold and launch unguided rockets in rapid succession.
Fuel tanks equipped with a material that automatically seals punctures from small arms fire or shrapnel to prevent leakage and reduce fire risk.
A radar system used to detect and track precipitation, storm intensity, and wind patterns to assist in flight operations and mission planning.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Attack Helicopters entry →