What's the most impressive machine ever built?

[Occhidiangela]

Specifically, the AH-1Z Super Cobra, replacing the AH-1W incrementally even as we speak.

This upgrade versus buy a new helicopter for the Scout and Attack mission is complementary to a move by Bell away from the semi rigid, underslung main rotor that has been their staple on Jet Ranger and Huey products for about 40 years, to a four bladed, composite rotor head.

Standard Jet Ranger

Four Bladed Jet Ranger

This advance improves "high, hot and heavy" performance and increases max top speed and payload.

The Super Cobra buy/upgade is aimed at harnessing a generational leap in reliabiilty, and was made partly because the Marines could not afford the Comanche, which got cancelled for being too expensive and to far behind, did not want Apache, maintenance nightmare, and partly due to the Snakes being ridden hard and put away wet for the past 3 years in Afghanistan and Iraq.

While the major change is the 4 bladed versus 2 bladed rotor head, 4 bladed versus 2 bladed tail rotor, and a bit more structural strength to allow it to carry more stuff, of tactical note is the glass cockpit, impressive integrated sensor suite and data handling package, and improved crew siting systems.

The first picture I linked to will not be seen on a battlefield anytime soon. A 16 Hellfire load is not a very flexible armament choice. I'd guess half the Hellfires would be replaced by 2.75" rocket pods. The 16 Hellfire, the same load as the Apache max, and is an advertising ploy by Bell Helicopter.

The Four Bladed Huey will replace the standard two bladed Huey, known also as the AB-212 and jointly produced by Agusta Helicopters (IT) under license.

This picture, another PR promo, shows the "beefing up of the Cobra" a bit better. Snake on Steroids

I prefer this picture to illustrate its beauty. Sunset Snake

Did you notice that I love helicopters? That I could talk about them until the audience is getting neck injuries from nodding off?

Hello, is anyone awake in the Lounge?

Oh, and some people thinkg I am full of beans, and that:

This Rube Goldberg Device

is the most amazing machine ever built.

Stuff and nonsense! That machine, while impressive from a design and engineering perspective, is simply another "elephant made by committee!"

Note that in this picture, The Rotors Have Stopped Turning and the contraption from Act IV is about to fall onto a lovely sob golf course. Fore!

Occhi

EDITED for a technical error in re the four bladed head.