GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

AH-1 Cobra vs MD-500

AH-1 Cobra vs MD-500 at a glance — top speed 277 vs 282 km/h, range 570 vs 430 km, max takeoff weight 8,391 vs 1,361 kg, built 1,116 vs 4,700 units.

Bell AH-1 Cobra military helicopters side profile drawing
🇺🇸 AH-1 Cobra
Hughes MD-500 military helicopters side profile drawing
🇺🇸 MD-500
Specifications
AH-1 Cobra MD-500
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Helicopters Military Helicopters
Manufacturer Bell Hughes
First flight 7 September 1965 28 January 1982
Year introduced 1967 1967
Number produced 1116 units 4700 units
Average unit price $13 million $4 million
Wingspan 13.4 m 8.3 m
Height 4.4 m 2.6 m
Length 17.8 m 9.4 m
Maximum speed 277 km/h 282 km/h
Operational range 570 km 430 km
Service ceiling 6,096 m 4,877 m
Max. takeoff weight 8,391 kg 1,361 kg
Empty weight 5,579 kg 672 kg
Total thrust 2 x 1,342 kW 1 x 313 kW
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs
Related Comparisons
AH-1 Cobra vs AH-64 Apache AH-1 Cobra vs EC665 Tiger AH-1 Cobra vs Mi-8 Hip AH-1 Cobra vs UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" AH-1 Cobra vs Mi-17 Hip-H AH-1 Cobra vs 206 JetRanger

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The MD-500 is faster with a maximum speed of 282 km/h compared to the AH-1 Cobra's 277 km/h, a difference of 5 km/h.
Which has longer range, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The AH-1 Cobra has a longer range at 570 km compared to the MD-500's 430 km.
Which can fly higher, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The AH-1 Cobra has a higher service ceiling at 6,096 meters (20,000 ft) compared to the MD-500's 4,877 meters (16,000 ft).
Which is heavier, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The AH-1 Cobra has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 8,391 kg compared to the MD-500's 1,361 kg.
Which is larger, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The AH-1 Cobra is longer at 17.8 meters compared to the MD-500's 9.4 meters.
Which is more expensive, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The AH-1 Cobra is more expensive at approximately $13 million per unit compared to the MD-500 at $4.0 million.
Which entered service first, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The MD-500 entered service first in 1967, 0 years before the AH-1 Cobra which entered service in 1967.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the AH-1 Cobra or MD-500?
The MD-500 has been produced in greater numbers with 4,700 units compared to 1,116 units of the AH-1 Cobra.