The Panha 2091 "Toufan" is an Iranian overhaul and upgrade of the Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra light-attack helicopters purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The overhaul and upgrade program is known as project number 2091 of the Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (Panha).
Reported upgrades include:
- new cockpit armored panels
- new, Iranian-designed canopy
- New avionics
- nose-mounted camera
- new cockpit design
The upgraded attack helicopter has a narrower airframe for greater flexibility and is armed with M197 3-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. The rear section has a Vulcan-type 20-mm automatic cannon, and two clusters of 38 anti-tank 70-mm missiles.
Bullet-proof 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.
General characteristics
- Length: 16 m (52.5 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 13 m (42.6 ft)
- Height: 4 m (13.1 ft)
- Empty weight: 2,802 kg (6.177 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,530 kg (9,987 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × turboshaft, 1,530 shp (1,125 kw)
- Rotor systems: 2 blades on main rotor, 2 blades on tail rotor
Performance
- Maximum speed: 236 km/h (147 mph)
- Range: 600 km (373 mi)
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 - 14 rockets mounted in a variety of launchers
- 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
