Aircraft & UAVs

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter

The Bell AH-1W Super Cobra is a twin-engine U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopter developed from the AH-1T Cobra. NAVAIR described it as the Corps' close air support workhorse and said its weapons fit included Hellfire, Sidearm, Sidewinder, 2.75-inch rockets, and a 20-mm gun; the Marine Corps retired the type in 2020 after fielding it from 1985.

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Marine AH-1W Super Cobra Tallil AB Iraq.jpg

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Bell
Type: Marine attack helicopter
Service note: 1980s-2020
Produced: 1983-1998
Developed from: AH-1T Cobra
Developed into: AH-1Z Viper

aircraft helicopter attack helicopter close air support precision fires strike

Specifications

Crew: 2
Engines: Two General Electric T700 turboshafts, 1,680 hp each
Maximum speed: 218 mph
Range: 317 miles
Loaded weight: 14,750 lb
Rotor diameter: 48 ft
Armament: Hellfire, Sidearm, Sidewinder, 2.75-inch rockets, and a 20-mm M197 cannon

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: The U.S. Marine Corps fielded the AH-1W from 1985 until retirement in 2020.
Used by: United States Marine Corps

Carried Munitions

NAVAIR and Army history sources describe the AH-1W Super Cobra as a Marine attack helicopter able to carry Hellfire missiles.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

AGM-114 Hellfire missile family

Air-to-surface missile family

NAVAIR listed Hellfire among the weapons that made the AH-1W more versatile, and Redstone's HELLFIRE history says the Navy approved Hellfire use with the COBRA helicopter (AH-1W).

Sources: Marines' AH-1W Super Cobra turns 20 | NAVAIR, HELLFIRE History | Redstone Arsenal

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter Videos

The Bell AH-1W Super Cobra claims its spot at the Museum

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter Images

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Marine AH-1W Super Cobra Tallil AB Iraq.jpg

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: AH-1W Super Cobra assigned to HMLA 167.jpg

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: USMC AH-1W Super Cobra fire FFAR.jpg

AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter, Marine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 4 — Source: Bell AH-1W SuperCobra Le Bourget 20110624.jpg

Related Weapon Systems

AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAH-1Z Viper attack helicopterAttack helicopterThe Bell AH-1Z Viper is a two-seat U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopter developed for the H-1 upgrade program. Bell describes it as a marinized attack-and-reconnaissance platform with a four-bladed composite rotor, 200 KIAS top speed, 310 nm range, and six weapon stations, while official Navy reporting says the Marine Corps declared AGM-179A JAGM initial operational capability on the AH-1Z and that AH-1Z pilots tested the missile in 2021.

AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64 Apache is a U.S. twin-engine attack helicopter built for armed reconnaissance, close combat, and precision attack missions with a 30 mm chain gun, rockets, and Hellfire missiles. Its recent combat record includes U.S. operations against Iran and documented use by U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and coalition forces in Afghanistan, Sinai, Lebanon, and Yemen for escort, overwatch, and strike support.

AH-64A Peten attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAH-64A Peten attack helicopterAttack helicopterThe AH-64A Peten is the Israeli Air Force's Apache attack helicopter, a twin-seat strike platform built around the Apache airframe and used for close support and precision attacks. During the Israel-Hamas War, 190 Squadron Peten crews were part of the October 7 response missions, showing the older AH-64A remained in active combat use.

AC-130 gunship, Heavily armed fixed-wing gunship, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAC-130 gunshipHeavily armed fixed-wing gunshipThe AC-130 gunship is a side-firing U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command attack aircraft family derived from the C-130 Hercules. Modern AC-130U, AC-130W, and AC-130J variants combine sensors, fire-control systems, cannon armament, and precision-guided munitions for close air support, armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, and overwatch, roles documented in Afghanistan during Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Resolute Support, and the Kabul evacuation.

AH-64D Saraph attack helicopter, Attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsAH-64D Saraph attack helicopterAttack helicopterThe AH-64D Saraph is the Israeli Air Force name for the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter, a twin-seat gunship used for close air support and strike missions. In the Israel-Hamas War, Israeli Apache helicopters were documented firing missiles over Gaza.

A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsA-29 Super TucanoTurboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraftThe A-29 Super Tucano is a Brazilian-designed turboprop light attack aircraft used by the Nigerian Air Force for counter-insurgency missions, combining armed reconnaissance, close air support, and precision air-to-ground strike capability against Boko Haram and ISWAP targets.

Sources

Marines' AH-1W Super Cobra turns 20 | NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports AH-1W background, Marine Corps close-air-support role, and the weapons fit including Hellfire, Sidearm, Sidewinder, rockets, and 20-mm gun. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Bell AH-1W - Pima Air & SpacePublisher: Pima Air & Space Museum | Note: Supports manufacturer background, service entry and retirement, crew, dimensions, speed, range, and engine data for the AH-1W. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 HELLFIRE History | Redstone ArsenalPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports the HELLFIRE program's approval for use with the COBRA helicopter (AH-1W). | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Marine AH-1W Super Cobra Tallil AB Iraq.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a public-domain U.S. Air Force photo showing an AH-1W Super Cobra armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and 2.75-inch rockets. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 AH-1W Super Cobra assigned to HMLA 167.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a public-domain U.S. Navy photo of an AH-1W Super Cobra assigned to HMLA-167. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 USMC AH-1W Super Cobra fire FFAR.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a U.S. Marine Corps photo of an AH-1W Super Cobra firing 2.75-inch FFAR rockets. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Bell AH-1W SuperCobra Le Bourget 20110624.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a CC BY-SA 3.0 photo of a Bell AH-1W SuperCobra on display at Le Bourget. | Accessed: 2026-06-23