Combat Aircraft visits Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) 'Scarface' to sample some Marine Corps 'Whiskey', and meets the successor to the Super Cobra, the impressive AH-1Z. AT THE TIP of the 'Marine Air' spear is the Bell AH-1W Super Cobra. This close air support asset, better known as the 'Whiskey', has developed a fearsome reputation during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Scarface' has long been associated with the Cobra, the unit having received its first AH-1Gs in 1969. HMLA-367 operates the AH-1W as its primary attack platform, alongside the UH-1Y Venom. With two hardpoints on each stub wing, the lightweight AH-1W is capable of packing a heavyweight punch. In addition to the three-barrel 20mm M197 chin-mounted cannon, with a 110° field of fire and provided with up to 750 rounds of ammunition, the 'Whiskey' can be equipped with BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire and AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. LAU-68 and LAU-61 rocket pods can each contain a variety of, respectively, seven or 19 2.75 in high-explosive (HE), mumination, smoke or flechette rockets.
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