AH-1Z Viper

[WinterH]

AH-1W
AH-1F
AH-1T
AH-1E

Are my choices, but I find it hard to decide what is the best option.

(Vietnam era ones and 2000s+ ones are boring, I don't want them :P)

Imo, ideally at least one flat glass Army and one Marine Cobra would be nice, and I'd prefer them to be between late 70s to early, maybe at most mid 90s. After that, as much as I don't personally care for them, seeing AH-1G or Q/S, as well as if possible an 2000s+ one wouldn't be bad either for folks interested in those.

To be fair, Cobra I believe is really another one of those aircraft, like the Phantom, which almost needs to exist in multiple modules/variants in DCS.

Here's hoping, we at least get one of these sooner than later

[Swift.]

2 hours ago, WinterH said:

AH-1W
AH-1F
AH-1T
AH-1E

Are my choices, but I find it hard to decide what is the best option.

(Vietnam era ones and 2000s+ ones are boring, I don't want them :P)

Imo, ideally at least one flat glass Army and one Marine Cobra would be nice, and I'd prefer them to be between late 70s to early, maybe at most mid 90s. After that, as much as I don't personally care for them, seeing AH-1G or Q/S, as well as if possible an 2000s+ one wouldn't be bad either for folks interested in those.

To be fair, Cobra I believe is really another one of those aircraft, like the Phantom, which almost needs to exist in multiple modules/variants in DCS.

Here's hoping, we at least get one of these sooner than later

I feel like if we were to expect a cobra, it would be a Whisky. It just seems like the flagship cobra.

But then again, you could make a strong argument for the 1G to match with the existing Huey in game.

Overall I think I'd like one that at least has an RWR, just for functionality.

[WinterH]

11 hours ago, Swift. said:

I feel like if we were to expect a cobra, it would be a Whisky. It just seems like the flagship cobra.

But then again, you could make a strong argument for the 1G to match with the existing Huey in game.

Overall I think I'd like one that at least has an RWR, just for functionality.

If I recall correctly, the first one with a RWR is P, or thereabouts at least. On Marine Cobra side, not exactly sure if T had one, but W very much should.

Technically, our UH-1H is somewhat post-Vietnam as far as I know, so it'd be more contemporary with at least Q/S, perhaps even P and on. To be fair, I think even F is early 80s, and it'd be more contemporary with our particular Huey than the G.

G is a step too much backwards for me personally. I'd say its only draw is authenticity for Vietnam enthusiasts, and I'm not one. It lacks a couple things that is iconically typified with Cobra: 20mm chin turret, and TOWs. It would also very much miss the mark on being a great counterpart to the Hind. In my opinion, it would really be just Huey but thin... and laso lacking troop transporting capacity I guess

I agree that the W seems probably to be the best first variant to do. Hell, perhaps even a couple different Ws could be a thing to do like we'll have with two F-4Es. One from 1986 when it entered service, and one from a later period. I can see such an arrangement making many people happy.

W at some point gained nigh capable FLIR optics, a missile approach warning system, and a laser warning receiver in addition to existing RWR. But it's weirdly difficult to find info on Cobras, so far couldn't quite find when did these upgrades happen, seem like mid to late 90s, but some sources write about it in a way that almost sounds like it already had them in 80s, while others recounting Gulf War experiences very much seem like they didn't yet in early 90s when that happened.

[Swift.]

1 minute ago, WinterH said:

If I recall correctly, the first one with a RWR is P, or thereabouts at least. On Marine Cobra side, not exactly sure if T had one, but W very much should.

Technically, our UH-1H is somewhat post-Vietnam as far as I know, so it'd be more contemporary with at least Q/S, perhaps even P and on. To be fair, I think even F is early 80s, and it'd be more contemporary with our particular Huey than the G.

G is a step too much backwards for me personally. I'd say its only draw is authenticity for Vietnam enthusiasts, and I'm not one. It lacks a couple things that is iconically typified with Cobra: 20mm chin turret, and TOWs. It would also very much miss the mark on being a great counterpart to the Hind. In my opinion, it would really be just Huey but thin... and laso lacking troop transporting capacity I guess

I agree that the W seems probably to be the best first variant to do. Hell, perhaps even a couple different Ws could be a thing to do like we'll have with two F-4Es. One from 1986 when it entered service, and one from a later period. I can see such an arrangement making many people happy.

W at some point gained nigh capable FLIR optics, a missile approach warning system, and a laser warning receiver in addition to existing RWR. But it's weirdly difficult to find info on Cobras, so far couldn't quite find when did these upgrades happen, seem like mid to late 90s, but some sources write about it in a way that almost sounds like it already had them in 80s, while others recounting Gulf War experiences very much seem like they didn't yet in early 90s when that happened.

I know the T had an RWR in 1983 at least, it's described in the manual.

I can't find anything about AAR-47 on the Whisky other than it's some time after 1998 and it definitely got it at some point.

I do agree about the G though. I'm just keen on a round glass canopy because it's got a better view out the front without the rail in front of you face.

If I could have 3 cobras, I'd take a Zulu (I only have knowledge about the 2009 model), a post CM or post CNU Whisky (ideally with AAR-47 but idk how it's implemented), and either a T or an S.

[WinterH]

I do think in an ideal world we should get at least one of flat glass Army Cobras too, they are iconic in their own right and they also have a larger share of Cobra's international service history.

For W, I tend to prefer it being an 80s or up to mid 90s one, especially if we also get a Z for more modern tastes as in your suggestion, but I'll also admit that if we also get a T, that would scratch earlier twin engine Cobra itch too at least to some degree.

Still though, 80s-early-mid90s W would be a great combined of old and new in other ways, so that it can really fit into a lot of scenarios. It's as far as I know the only one to be Hellfire capable while still being at least semi old-school enough to also fit into earlier scenarios somewhat.

While TOW is really iconic with Cobra, it is also a really short ranged and very, very slow missile. In DCS, TOW flat out wouldn't even work in most of the relatively pedestrian scenarios. At less than 4kms range and being even slower than Gazelle's HOT, even some of the spicier AAA would be a threat to TOW Cobra at maximum range.

Since T already had a RWR that's pretty nice too. I've read in some  places that some Ts got Hellfire capability added in too, but I really doubt that myself, does manual say anything to that effect? Though 83 would presumably be too early even if it did happen.

Anyway... how cool would it be if we see a Cobra outline in 2023 and beyond video now?

[Swift.]

9 minutes ago, WinterH said:

Anyway... how cool would it be if we see a Cobra outline in 2023 and beyond video now? 

Or a black screen with a faint 'whop whop whop'...

But you make good points.

AH1F

AH1W - pre MWS, CM or CNU

AH1Z - 2008 with MWS and hellfire etc.