US delivers 8 attack helicopters to Pakistan

[Keysersoze]

They do not carry HellFire Missile. If I read the report right.

There is an upgrade available to allow them to fire it.....I believe it is under consideration. (I read this somewhere on this forum, from someone who was at the ideas show)

 

[Keysersoze]

AH-1Z SUPERCOBRA

* The AH-1T that was modified to the AH-1T+ demonstrator and AH-1W prototype was later fitted with an advanced composite four-bladed rotor system that provided better performance, less noise, and greater resistance to battle damage. This "Four Bladed Whiskey (4BW)" Cobra didn't lead immediately to a production contract and the rotorcraft was returned to Marine service in a normal AH-1W configuration, but Bell continued development of the concept to come up with a new "AH-1Z" SuperCobra.

With the end of the Cold War, funds for buying new weapons dried up, and the US armed services increasingly had to make do with upgrade programs to bring their current weapons up to date. In 1996, the Marines signed a contract with Bell to upgrade 180 AH-1W SuperCobras to the AH-1Z standard.

The "Zulu Cobra" features a new, quieter four-blade composite rotor with an automatic folding mechanism to make the helicopter easy to store on ship, a 10,000-hour lifetime, and the ability to survive hits by 23 millimeter projectiles, as well as a new gearbox, transmission, and auxiliary power unit (APU). The new APU is the same as that used on the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk helicopter. A four-blade tail is also fitted. Fuel capacity is increased by 758 liters (200 US gallons), and the fuel tanks are filled with inert gas as they are emptied to reduce fire hazard.

The AH-1Z upgrade also increases stores capability to six wing stations, including two wingtip stations for missiles like the Sidewinder or Sidearm, and four for unguided rocket packs, or TOW or Hellfire quad missile launchers.

Cockpit and avionics are upgraded as well. The new cockpit features two multifunction 15 by 20 centimeter (6 by 8 inch) flat-panel displays for each crewman; secure radio communications; a tactical digital data system; a inertial-navigation system incorporating a GPS receiver; and a digital map display. Both sets of cockpit controls are largely identical, allowing either crewperson to fly the helicopter or fire its weapons. A rudimentary backup cockpit flight-control panel operated off battery power is also provided for each crewperson so that the AH-1Z can "limp home" if its AC power system is disabled.

The AH-1Z is fitted with a nose-mounted AN/AAQ-30 "Hawkeye" Target Sighting System (TSS), featuring a FLIR imager, low-level-light color zoom TV, a laser rangefinder, and an "eye-safe" laser target designator. The new FLIR imager is the key to the TSS. Earlier FLIRs didn't have the range to allow combat crews to identify a target from more than a few kilometers away, but the third-generation FLIR used in the TSS has large-aperture optics and an extremely effective stabilization system, allowing target identification from beyond the range of the Hellfire missile.

Zulu Cobra flightcrews will be fitted with advanced flight helmets developed by BAE Systems of the UK that are one of the core elements of the flight system. The helmet features a high-resolution projection TV system that can display flight or targeting data and imagery on the visor in a "see-through" fashion, and also can be fitted with snap-in cameras to provide a highly integrated night-vision capability. The helmet weighs only 2.2 kilograms (4.8 pounds) with the cameras in place.

Other system enhancements include a new self-defense suite, airborne target handoff system, an onboard systems monitor, two mission computers, and a mission data loader. The self-defense suite includes four ALE-47 chaff-flare dispensers that can be set to manual, semiautomatic, and fully automatic modes, along with an APR-39A radar warning receiver, an AVR-2 laser-warning unit, and and AAR-47 missile warning unit.

The AH-1Z is stretched to accommodate the new hardware and preserve its center of balance, and the airframe has been "zero-lifed". The upgraded SuperCobra carries 450 kilograms (1,000 pounds) more payload than the AH-1W, and cruises at 290 KPH (180 MPH), 40 KPH faster than the AH-1W. Combat radius for the AH-1Z is 200 kilometers (125 miles), while the combat radius of the AH-1W is only 70 kilometers (44 miles). The AH-1Z has a maximum takeoff weight of 8,390 kilograms (18,500 pounds), compared to 6,690 kilograms (14,750 pounds) for the AH-1W.

http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avcobra.html

 

[Abs]

Avionics upgrade to AH-1Z standard was displayed at ideas 2006

AH-1Z internal upgrade

 

[Ali14]

Were will these new Cobras based

 

[falcone]

Muradk, these particular helicopters do not use the Hellfire missile, but, as Keysersoze said, they can be upgraded.

 

[falcone]

Here is an article about the same thing:

"U.S. Delivers Eight Cobra Attack Helicopters To Pakistan Army
02/02/2007

(Crocker Reaffirms Long-term and Strategic U.S. Commitment to Pakistan)

Islamabad – The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan C. Crocker, handed over on Friday eight night capable Cobra attack helicopters, AH1-F, to the Pakistan Army at the Qasim Airbase, near Islamabad. These helicopters are part of a $ 50 million foreign military sales program that will provide the Pakistan Army with 20 refurbished helicopters.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Crocker recounted Pakistan’s contribution to the War on Terror and reaffirmed a long-term and strategic U.S. commitment to Pakistan. “We understand and appreciate the very real sacrifices that Pakistan is making in the War on Terror. The majority of important al Qaeda arrests have occurred because of Pakistan’s cooperation,” the Ambassador remarked.

Ambassador Crocker said that Pakistan has posted 80,000 troops to the Afghan border and has killed more than 700 militants in anti-terror operations and has regrettably lost more than 400 brave Pakistanis in actions related to the War on Terror.

These completely refurbished Cobra AH1-F Attack helicopters will provide the Pakistan Army with a superior capability to conduct night operations. The Cobra is a modern and versatile helicopter with a fully integrated weapon system, capable of delivering a variety of weapons. These eight Night Capable (C-NITE Equipped) cobras will augment Pakistan’s current fleet of 19 Cobras previously acquired from the U.S.

The Ambassador said that these helicopters are important weapons in our common fight against terrorism. He said that the U.S. is also committed to Pakistan’s security. The sale of F-16s to Pakistan late last year and the delivery of these Cobra helicopters demonstrate the long-term commitment of the United States to all aspects of our strategic partnership with Pakistan, he added.

Ambassador Crocker reiterated that because the governments of Pakistan and the United States have cooperated closely on counter-terrorism, the U.S. Administration opposed provision in legislation currently in the U.S. Congress that could restrict assistance to Pakistan based on a certification requirement. Such conditionality would be counterproductive to the strategic relationship between the United States and Pakistan, he added."

 

[falcone]

By the way, does anyone know what "C-NITE" is?

 

[A.Rahman]

By the way, does anyone know what "C-NITE" is?

Cobra-Night Imaging Thermal Equipment (C-NITE)

. In January 1984 the Cobra Project Management Office was tasked to acquire a night vision system for the A H-1 S Modernized Cobra attack helicopter. The M65 T S U was modified to include a FLIR receiver with infrared telescope.

The Hughes developed C-NITE allows gunners of Modernized A H-1 S/A H-1F Cobra attack helicopters to accurately direct TOW missiles, cannon, and rocket fire through darkness, adverse weather, or contermeasures. The M65 TOW/Cobra missile system operates in the standard operating mode, but automatically transfers missile tracking to the FLIR missile tracker during adverse conditions.

C-NITE enables effective missile guidance through smoke, dust and sand, as well as a proven electro-optical countermeasure capability.

The LAAT rangefinder provides accurate range to the target. C-NITE is being installed on A H-lF Cobras in service with the U.S. Army National Guard. Initial production of C-NITE began in July 1989.

 

[blain2]

As as a side-note, Pakistani Cobras equipped with C-nite can also use the system with Bakter Shikan ATGW.

 

[falcone]

Thank you everyone for the information.

 

[flameboard]

Buy the rest of the helicopters from Iran since its making more advanced helicopters than the ones were buying. The US gives us bottom of the line stuff screw it because of this we will have to spend more money just cover the areas that these helicopters don't. Either get Transfer of Technology or buy from Iran which will probably be cheaper better and probably won't mind Transfer of technology.

 

[FNFAL]

Buy the rest of the helicopters from Iran since its making more advanced helicopters than the ones were buying. The US gives us bottom of the line stuff screw it because of this we will have to spend more money just cover the areas that these helicopters don't. Either get Transfer of Technology or buy from Iran which will probably be cheaper better and probably won't mind Transfer of technology.

goddamit 3 yrs old!!!!

u already started a thread on this !!!!!

 

[kaonalpha]

,

 

[Super Falcon]

These helicopters are not AH1Z super cobra why they gave old stuff which we already have why we did not ask them deliver these after upgrading

 

[Mani2020]

These helicopters are not AH1Z super cobra why they gave old stuff which we already have why we did not ask them deliver these after upgrading

Dude it would have been nice if you would have cared to read the date of this news and thread... you have dug a 8years old thread just to say this?

Lol just because of you I was one of those who got excited reading the name of the thread on top of army section but later realized how intellectual some members here can be