"Ah-1S" Topic

There are two details I am wondering about AH-1, maybe somebody knows something more.

First, I was told the AH-1S equipped attack battalions retained the I-TOW as the TOW II weight a bit more that than the I-TOW. Given the very small weight difference (I think around 1,5kg), I was ready to dismiss it, but then I saw that additional systems on "Fully Modernised" AH-1 added weight to an aircraft that was already too heavy. With full fuel and all systems installed, the modernised Cobra weighed in at nearly 9,700 pounds. With a max gross weight of only 10,000 pounds, the flight crew had often to limit the fuel load, or severely restrict the amount of ordnance carried, thus lending credibility to the theory that they kept I-TOW?

Second, is there any truth to "Up Gunned AH-1S" or AH-1E lacking the rocket management system (RMS) and therefore not being able to use the 2.75-inch rocket system that was standard on all other model Cobras?

Update: I suspect there might have been some kind of misunderstanding in which "lack of RMS capability" gave origin to the myth of "lack of 2.75inch rockets" and that spread to some of the sources.

The rocket management system gave the AH-1F pilot the capability to manage the combat load of as many as 76 rockets of five different types, to select and fire them at various rates and more accurately, as well to remotely set the RC fuzing system in the rockets.

While RMS enabled Cobras to deliver accurate rocket fire on the first burst at standoff ranges while flying nap-of-the-earth, I fail to see how the absence of RMC prevented rocket delivery with traditional manually preset combining sight.

I am still searching for clues on I-TOW.

If you're only carrying 14 Hydra rockets with your 8 TOWs, why bother with the fancy RMS, just load all frag or whatever.

If you're loaded down with 52 Hydras, I'd want the ability to mix and match.