The Panha 2091 "Toufan" is an Iranian overhaul and upgrade of the
Bell AH-1J International (export version of the SeaCobra)
attack helicopter
An attack helicopter is an armed helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the offensive capability of engaging ground targets such as enemy infantry, military vehicles and fortifications. Due to their heavy armament they ...
purchased before the 1979
Islamic Revolution
The Iranian Revolution ( fa, انقلاب ایران, Enqelâb-e Irân, ), also known as the Islamic Revolution ( fa, انقلاب اسلامی, Enqelâb-e Eslâmī), was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dyna ...
.
[Panha hovers between repair and manufacturing](_blank)
Janes.com The overhaul and upgrade program is known as project number 2091 of the
Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (also known as Panha).
Design
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 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
Avionics (a blend word, blend of ''aviation'' and ''electronics'') are the Electronics, electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, Air navigation, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, ...
have been revamped with the addition of a
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a Radionavigation-satellite service, satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of t ...
and receiver in the nose, and a warning
radar
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (''ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, w ...
attached to the rear, with four antennae providing 360 degrees coverage and all electronics systems integrated.
Specifications
See also
References
External links
Toufan 2
{{Huey family
Military helicopters
1990s Iranian attack aircraft
1990s Iranian helicopters