Bell AH-1J SeaCobra

The Bell AH‑1J SeaCobra is the naval variant of the iconic Huey‑derived attack helicopter, built by Bell Textron for the United States Marine Corps in the early 1970s. First flown in 1971, the SeaCobra entered service in 1975, replacing the aging H‑34 and providing the Marines with a lightweight, carrier‑compatible gunship capable of close‑air support, anti‑armor, and anti‑ship missions. Its compact airframe incorporates a reinforced fuselage and corrosion‑resistant components for maritime operations, while retaining the single‑engine, turboshaft powerplant of the AH‑1 series—typically a Lycoming T53‑LT-1A producing 1,400 shp. Key features include a twin‑barrel 20 mm M197 cannon mounted beneath the forward fuselage, four under‑wing hardpoints for AGM‑114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets or external fuel tanks, and a modernized avionics suite with night‑vision goggles and a laser rangefinder. The SeaCobra’s agility, low operating cost, and ease of maintenance made it a workhorse during the Vietnam aftermath, the Gulf War, and numerous humanitarian missions. Its development demonstrated the adaptability of the Huey platform to naval warfare, influencing subsequent designs such as the AH‑1W SuperCobra and reinforcing Bell’s reputation as a premier rotorcraft manufacturer.