Panha 2091

Last updated
Panha 2091 Toufan
Balgard tofan6 (cropped).jpg
Toufan in flight
Role Attack helicopter
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter Textron
Panha
Introduction1998 [1]
Statuscanceled
Primary user Islamic Republic of Iran Army
Developed from Bell AH-1J International

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).

Contents

Design

Reported upgrades include: [2]

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

General characteristics

Performance

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

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. Iranian Gunship upgrade
  2. 1 2 Panha hovers between repair and manufacturing Janes.com
  3. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.