Executives said low-level discussions have been going on for several years. However, it was only recently that the company was cleared to officially discuss options with Chile and Colombia. 

Defense Daily
Friday, 24 September 1999
 

Bell discussing sale of Cobras to Colombia, Chile

By Marc Strass

Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT] is discussing with Chile and Colombia the possible sale of a downgraded version of the AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter, according to company executives.

If either country buys the helicopter, known as the MH-1W, it would be sold through the Foreign Military Sales program. Executives said low-level discussions have been going on for several years. However, it was only recently that the company was cleared to officially discuss options with Chile and Colombia. Although the aircraft are expected to be new builds, the MH-1W will be a considerably less capable version of the AH-1W Cobras currently flown by both the Marine Corps and U.S. allies.

The aircraft will retain the two General Electric [GE] T700 engines, drive train, and two-bladed rotor head, of the AH-1Ws. They will not see any of the major electronics, electronic or rotor improvements from the Marine's AH-1Z, the major upgrade program for the service's Cobra fleet.

The MH-1W will also have a severely downgraded weapons capability. It will be unable to carry or fire air-to-air or air-to ground guided weapons, such as Hellfire or Sidewinder missiles.

The aircraft will retain the M197 three barreled cannon, and still have the ability to carry unguided weapons pods, flare dispensers or fuel tanks on the four under wing pylons. Because the aircraft has no capability to fire guided weapons, the laser designator, normally fitted in AH-1Ws, will also not be carried in the MH-1W. Exact sensor fits have yet to be finalized, but according to Bell executives, the aircraft's targeting equipment will include a forward looking infrared, direct view optics, laser range-finder and an auto tracker.

The electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite will include chaff and flare dispensers, which are located in the front and back portions of the aircraft. The rest of the ECM suite is currently under negotiation, and is subject to major cost concerns. It's possible that an IR jammer and suppression equipment could fit on the aircraft, according to Bell executives.