On Monday, a military helicopter belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force crashed in the Umm Al-Dananir area in North Amman near Balqa, according to witnesses.
In press statements, an official military source at the Jordanian Armed Forces unveiled that a Cobra-type military helicopter, belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, crashed during a routine training flight and made an emergency landing in the Balqa area.
He added that the helicopter was severely damaged, and its two pilots suffered injuries and were promptly evacuated to Al-Hussein Medical City.
The source reassured that there were no civilian casualties.
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) is a branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces. Founded in 1955, the RJAF has steadily grown into one of the most potent air forces in the Middle East, with a diverse fleet of aircraft and an experienced corps of personnel. The RJAF plays a crucial role in Jordan’s defense and has participated in various peacekeeping missions.
The Cobra, a type of attack helicopter, is one of the aircraft types used by the RJAF. The Cobra is a two-blade rotor, single-engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was developed using the engine, transmission, and rotor system of the Bell’s UH-1 Iroquois.
The helicopter is specially designed to endure front-line environments and to operate during the day or night and in adverse weather using avionics, such as the Target Sight System (TSS), which provides target information to the pilot and gunner or co-pilot during engagements. The Cobra is widely used in multiple capacities worldwide, including reconnaissance, fire support, and the destruction of armored vehicles.
Lastly, the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army is the highest authority over Jordan’s military. The command is responsible for coordinating the country’s land, air, and naval forces, and maintaining readiness to defend Jordan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This incident happened in the Balqa area, located in North Amman. Balqa Governorate is one of the governorates of Jordan, located northwest of Amman, Jordan’s capital. It’s known for its diverse topography, including the Jordan Valley, mountain heights, and desert lowlands.
