Tzefa B
| This page is about the Israeli attack helicopter Tzefa B. For other versions, see AH-1 (Family). |
Contents
Description
The Tzefa B was a further development of the AH-1G Tzefa A, intended to fill the lack of anti-tank quick response units in the helicopter units. It was conceived as an anti-armour version of the AH-1G, and as such, it was fitted with 8 x BGM-71C TOW (SACLOS) ATGMs for use against enemy units such as tanks and other armoured vehicles. The vehicle entered limited service in 1975, with more units being delivered in 1979.
Introduced in Update "Danger Zone" alongside the initial Israeli helicopter tech tree, the Tzefa B has the good manoeuvrability and speed of other AH-1 variants, but with the extra flexibility offered by the new TOW missiles that older variants such as the Tzefa A are lacking. This allows the Tzefa B to be used in close combat or long range combat. For long range options, pilots can make use of the good agility and speed of the Cobra to quickly change positions and hide behind cover to avoid being shot down by enemy SPAA.
General info
Flight performance
Describe how the helicopter behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 1,000 m) |
Max altitude (metres) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | ||
| Stock | ___ | ___ | 3475 |
| Upgraded | ___ | ___ | |
Survivability and armour
Examine the survivability of the helicopter. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical systems.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
Offensive armament
The Tzefa B is armed with:
- A choice between two presets:
- 2 x 7.62 mm M134 Minigun machine guns (4,000 rpg = 8,000 total)
- 2 x 40 mm M129 cannons (300 rpg = 600 total)
Suspended armament
The Tzefa B can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62 mm M134 Minigun machine guns (1,500 rpg) | 1 | 1 | |||
| FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets | 7, 19 | 7, 19 | 7, 19 | 7, 19 | |
| BGM-71C Improved TOW missiles | 2, 4 | 2, 4 |
| Default weapon presets | |
|---|---|
| |
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in a helicopter, the features of using the helicopter in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".
Pros:
Cons:
History
The Bell AH-1Q Tzefa B was a version of the AH-1G equipped for anti-armour duties. The Tzefa B used by the IDF was a result of the identification of the need for weapons system that could respond to ground-based threats quickly and effectively. Six units were ordered using the AH-1G as a basis with good results with six more units ordered and later delivered in 1979.
The Tzefa B was used first in 1979 and alongside other Cobras was very active in combat in Lebanon. They also participated in the Lebanon War of 1982, with great success in the destruction of Syrian armoured forces, fortifications, and conducting raids against enemy logistics.
The Tzefa B could be equipped with rockets, a cannon/MG turret, infrared sights and 8 BGM-71 130 mm TOWs mounted in a pair of pods on the outboard pylons for use against heavy targets like tanks and IFVs.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the helicopter;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
| Bell Aircraft Corporation | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | |
| Fighters | P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5 |
| P-400 | |
| P-63A-10 · P-63A-5 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra | |
| Jet Fighters | P-59A |
| Export | ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▄P-39Q-25 |
| ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5 · ▄P-63C-5 | |
| Helicopters | |
| Attack | AH-1F · AH-1G · AH-1Z · AH-1W |
| OH-58D | |
| Utility | UH-1B · UH-1C · UH-1C XM-30 |
| Export/Licensed | ▅UH-1B · ◄UH-1D |
| Tzefa A · Tzefa B · Tzefa D/E · ▅AH-1S early · ▅AH-1S · ▅AH-1S Kisarazu · ␗AH-1W | |
| ␗OH-58D | |
| See Also | Fuji Heavy Industries · Agusta |
| Israel helicopters | |
|---|---|
| Attack | |
| MD 500 | Lahatut |
| Battle Hawk | AH-60 |
| Cobra | Tzefa D/E · Tzefa A · Tzefa B |
| Apache | Saraph · Peten · AH-64A Peten |
