1.
MV AMMUNITION LOADED ONTO COBRA
0.03

2.
MCU ROCKETS
0.06

3.
MCU AMMUNITION LOADED ONTO COBRA (2 SHOTS)
0.14

4.
MV AIRMAN WORKING ON COBRA (2 SHOTS)
0.24

5.
MV COBRA TAKING OFF
0.38

6.
MV COBRA IN FLIGHT
0.43

7.
CU COBRA IN FLIGHT (2 SHOTS)
0.49

8.
MV COBRA ATTACKING
0.57

9.
MCU PILOT IN COCKPIT
1.05

10.
CU COBRA
1.13



Initials GEM/N/CT/PC/CCT/DM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: HELICOPTERS HAVE BECOME OFFENSIVE WEAPONS-SYSTEMS IN VIETNAM, AND THE LATEST TO BE USED BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY IS THE COBRA. THEY CALL IT A GUNSHIP, AND IT'S RAPIDLY REPLACING OTHER HELICOPTERS THAT HAVE BEEN USED IN VIETNAM.

DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND IN KOREA HELICOPTERS WERE USED MAINLY FOR RESCUE AND SUPPLY MISSIONS. THE COBRA SHOWS HOW MUCH THEY'VE CHANGED.

IT WAS FIRST USED LAST AUGUST, BUT THE AUTHORITIES KEPT IT SECRET UNTIL THIS WEEK. THE ARMY TEAMS WHO'VE BEEN USING COBRAS SPEAK HIGHLY OF THEIR PERFORMANCE ... A SPEED OF 175 MILES (280 KILOMETRES) AN HOUR FULLY LOADED TO 215 MILES (350 KILOMETRES) AN HOUR IN A STEEP DIVE.

IT CAN CARRY 76 ROCKETS AND 8,000 MACHINE GUN ROUNDS, IT CAN FIRE 4,000 ROUNDS A MINUTE, WITH GREAT ACCURACY, SAY ITS PILOTS. THE ARMY SAYS IT'S USING COBRAS 24 HOURS A DAY ON OFFENSIVE MISSIONS AGAINST THE VIET CONG AND NORTH AND NORTH VIETNAMESE TROOPS.