The Bell AH-1 shock helicopter and its modification. Poisonous snake of the American army

Bell AH-1 Cobra was the world"s first specially designed shock helicopter. For thirty years, it was the "Cobra" who was the main combat helicopter of the American army, and its modernized versions remain in the ranks so far (in the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W "Supercobobra is the main combat helicopter) Combat Cobra’s battle debut took place more than half a century ago in Vietnam. They provided the support of the ground forces from the fire of the Viet Kongians, accompanied landing and transport helicopters, performed other tasks, including used as carriers of aviation missile artillery. In total, their pilots spent more than a million combat hours in the Vietnamese sky. Then the "cobra" participated in almost all military operations of the American army of the last third of the 20th century. In their track record list of invasion of Grenada (1983) and Panama (1989), the war in the Persian Gulf (1990-1991), where the "cobras" destroyed many Iraqi armored vehicles and other purposes. In 1993, "Cobra" were used in Somalia, and in 1994 in Haiti. In the Israeli Air Force, these helicopters were called "Tzefa" (in Hebrew - Viper) Since the mid-1970s. The most active front of Israeli hostilities was Lebanon, and the "Cobra" fought there for more than twenty years. During the Lebanese War of 1982, the Israeli Air Force was destroyed by dozens of Syrian armored vehicles, including the latest T-72 tanks.
The new book of the leading historian of modern aviation in all details considers the history of the creation, design, modification and active combat use of the legendary shock helicopter.
The publication is illustrated by unique drawings and photographs