Iranian attack helicopter
The Panha 2091 "Toufan" is an Iranian overhaul and upgrade of the Bell AH-1J International (export version of the SeaCobra) attack helicopter purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.[2] The overhaul and upgrade program is known as project number 2091 of the Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (also known as Panha).
Design
Reported upgrades include:[2]
- new cockpit armored panels
- new, Iranian-designed canopy
- new avionics
- nose-mounted camera
- new cockpit design
The upgraded attack helicopter has a narrower airframe for greater flexibility and is armed with an M197 three-barreled 20-mm Gatling-type cannon in the A/A49E turret. Its wing-stub stations carry a pair of 19-tube 70-mm rocket launchers.
Bulletproof glass protects the pilot's cockpit and weapons officer station, internal avionics have been revamped with the addition of a GPS and receiver in the nose, and a warning radar attached to the rear, with four antennae providing 360 degrees coverage and all electronics systems integrated.
Specifications
Data from Military and Missile[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
- Airfoil: Wortmann FX 69-H-098[4]
- Empty weight: 2,802 kg (6,177 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,530 kg (9,987 lb)
- Main rotor diameter: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
- Main rotor area: 132.75 m2 (1,428.9 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 236 km/h (147 mph, 127 kn)
- Range: 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi)
Armament
- M197 3-barreled 20 mm "Gatling-style" cannon in the M97 turret (750 rounds ammo capacity)
- 2.75 in (70 mm) Mk 40 or Hydra 70 rockets in 7 or 19 round pods
- 5 in (127 mm) Zuni rockets - 8 rockets in two 4-round LAU-10D/A launchers
- AIM-9 Sidewinder / Misagh-2 Anti-Aircraft Missiles - 1 mounted on each hardpoint
- Toophan ATGM - 1 dual or quad launcher on each wing
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