Aircraft/Marines

Sea Power,  Jan 2003  

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AH-1 SUPER COBRA

BRIEFING: The AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter's primary roles are to: (1) provide fire support and security of forward- and rear-area forces; (2) conduct point-target/anti-armor operations; (3) conduct anti-helicopter operations; (4) provide armed escort, control, and coordination for assault support operations; (5) control, coordinate, and provide terminal guidance for supporting arms, including artillery, mortars, naval surface fire support, and close air support; and (6) conduct armed and visual reconnaissance. The AH-1 W is equipped to carry 2.75-inch and 5.0-inch rockets, Hellfire/TOW anti-armor missiles, Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and Sidearm anti-radiation missiles as well as a 20mm M197 gun in a nose turret. The AH-1W is complemented with a night-targeting system that includes a FLIR, low-light TV, laser-designator/range finder, and an auto-track system installed in the existing M65 TOW missile-sighting system. A GPS-linked inertial navigation system integrates the helicopter's navigation and weapons system to provide accurate targeting to the crew. The helicopter's communication and navigation systems also have been upgraded to include the ARC-210 radio that operates in fixed-frequency and frequency-hopping anti-jam modes (HaveQuick I/II and SINCGARS). These improvements enable the aircraft to carry out its basic missions at night or in low-visibility conditions.

UH-1/HH-1 "HUEY"

H-1 UPGRADE PROGRAM

BRIEFING: The H-1 Upgrade Program-a key modernization effort designed to resolve existing safety deficiencies and significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of the AH-1W and UH-1W-is extending the service life and increasing the operational capabilities of both aircraft through improvements in crew and passenger survivability, payload, power available, endurance, range, airspeed, maneuverability, and supportability. The Marine Corps plans to remanufacture 180 existing AH-1Ws and 100 UH-1N/HH-1N (redesignated the AH-1Z and UH-1Y, respectively) aircraft with a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, a performance-matched transmission, a four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded lending gear, and a fully integrated glass cockpit. Moreover, the commonality gained between the AH-1Z and the equivalent UH-1Y (projected to be 84 percent) are expected to significantly reduce life-cycle costs and the aircraft's logistical footprint, while increasing the maintainability and deployability of both aircraft. The H-1 Upgrade Program continues in Engineering and Manufacturing Development. The first of three AH-1Z prototypes made its first flight in December 2000; the first of two UH-1Y prototypes made its first flight in December 2001. All five H-1 Upgrade prototypes are going through developmental testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Initial operational capability for the AH-1Z/UH-1Y is projected to be fiscal year 2008.

CH-46E SEA KNIGHT

CH-53D SEA STALLION

CH-53E SUPER STALLION

Miscellaneous Aircraft

Copyright Navy League of the United States Jan 2003
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