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AH-1 Cobra
The AH-1 Cobra, called
the "Huey Cobra", "Cobra",
or "Snake", is an attack helicopter,
designed by Bell Helicopter Textron. It shares
a common engine, transmission and rotor system
with the UH-1. It is now fully replaced by
the AH-64 Apache in US Army service, but upgraded
versions continue to fly with US Marine Corps
and several other users. Closely
related with the development of the Bell AH-1
is the story of the Bell UH-1 – predecessor
of the modern helicopter, icon of the Vietnam
War and still one of the most numerous helicopter
types in service today.
Bell's XH-40 prototype
first flew on 22 October 1956 and entered
production in the same year as the HU-1A.
The “HU” designation spawned the
famous “Huey” nickname, although
the re-alignment of US service designations
in 1962 changed it into the familiar UH-1.
The UH-1 made the theory of air cavalry practical,
as the new tactics called for US forces to
be highly mobile across a wide area. Unlike
before, they would not stand and fight long
battles, and they would not stay and hold
positions. Instead, the plan was that the
troops carried by fleets of Hueys would range
across the country, to fight the enemy at
times and places of their own choice.
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