ICM AH-1G Cobra (late production), US Attack Helicopter

The AH-1G attack helicopter was designed as a fire support helicopter. Due to its firepower, it was often referred to as "air artillery" during the Vietnam War. The main armament, mounted on a turret at the front of the helicopter, consisted of a six-barreled 7.62 mm Minigun with a magazine capacity of 4,000 rounds and a 40 mm M129 grenade launcher with 300 rounds of ammunition. Other types of weapons were also used. In 1972, the Vietnamese began using the Soviet portable air defense system "Strela" to target low-flying aircraft. They were very successful against helicopters, including Cobras. Some helicopters were equipped with a device that diverted hot gases from the working engine upward to protect them from the seeker heads mounted on the missiles. As it turned out in practice, this had the desired effect. The sensitivity of the missile seeker head was insufficient to intercept the modified helicopters. During the war in Southeast Asia, the Cobras demonstrated excellent survivability and proved to be reliable and powerful ground support aircraft.