The AH-1S is the Japanese license production of a Step 3 AH-1 (comparable to the AH-1F), built by Fuji Heavy Industries. The choice of combat helicopter model for the JGSDF was made on the basis of tests of two AH-1Es that took place in Japan in 1977–1978. As a result, an agreement was reached on the license-production of these vehicles by Japanese companies, in a version equivalent to the US Army's AH-1F model. Fuji Heavy Industries produced 89 AH-1S helicopters between 1984 and 2000, which were powered by the T53-K-703 turboshaft engine. These helicopters are still in service with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.
It was introduced in Update "Starfighters". Being the same late step 3 model AH-1 as the AH-1S Kisarazu, it packs the same capabilities in ordnance of 8 x TOW-2s with thermal NVD sights. It is more like a flying ATGM carrier than an independent helicopter that can snipe from afar. The TOW missiles are powerful, but they can only reach 3.75 km, which is shorter than the range of the AA systems that the Cobra will encounter. The best way to play the AH-1 is to support the ground team and jet aircraft, and let them handle the SPAA/SAMs, planes, and other helicopters.
Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
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10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
HEI-T/HEF-I/HEF-I/AP-I | 40 | 36 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | |
HEI-T/AP-I/HEF-I/AP-I | 40 | 36 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | |
HEI-T/HEF-I/HEF-I/AP-I | 40 | 36 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | |
HEI-T/AP-I/AP-I/AP-I | 40 | 36 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 | |
HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/AP-I | 40 | 36 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
Name | Weight | Slot | ||||
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7 × | 93.3 kg | |||||
19 × | 233.8 kg | |||||
2 × | 38.1 kg | |||||
2 × | 42.9 kg | |||||
4 × | 76.2 kg | |||||
4 × | 85.8 kg | |||||
126.9 kg |
Flight performance |
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Survivability |
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Weaponry | |||
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