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Bell OH-58 Kiowa
The Kiowa Warrior was to be replaced by the RAH-66 Comanche, which went on to be cancelled in 2004.
By Staff Writer
The Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior was a further development of the successful Bell OH-58 Kiowa. Intended to be fielded alongside the Apache Longbow and provide scouting and observation capabilities in an offensive support capacity. The system intended to be an unarmed scouting platform but evolved through its development into an armed scout (hence the Kiowa "Warrior" designation) with the addition of Hellfire and Stinger missile support.
Main differences between the base OH-58 Kiowa and the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior are in the new four-bladed main rotor (the base Kiowa was fielded with a two-blade rotor) and the identifiable mast-mounted sight which provides the Warrior with the "eyes" to see the battlefield. The system still maintains the two-bladed tail rotor of its predecessor. The OH-58D also appears in an export version known as the 406CS "Combat Scout" to which Saudi Arabia remains the dominant user. These systems were delivered without the mast mounted sight systems and sensors and without avionics technology deemed too sensitive for export.
Armament of this armed scout consists of mission-specific munitions in the form of Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Stinger air-to-air missiles, gun pods in 7.62mm (.30 caliber) or 12.7mm (.50 caliber) flavors, and seven-shot rocket pods on two wigstubs mounted on either side of the fuselage. At least 188 OH-58D Kiowa models were upgraded to this OH-58D Kiowa Warrior status. Seating in the warrior is standard with two sitting in side-by-side.
The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior system was to be replaced by the up-and-coming stealthy RAH-66 Comanche light attack helicopter. But since that project's cancellation in 2004, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior system remains an active participant until further notice.
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Last Revision: 10/8/2009
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| Specifications for the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior |
 Dimensions: |
Length: 34.38ft (10.48m)
Width:35.01ft (10.67m)
Height: 12.89ft (3.93m)
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| Performance: |
About MACH |
Max Speed: 131mph (211kmh; 114kts)
Max Range: 257miles (413km)
Rate-of-Climb: 1,540ft/min (469m/min)
Service Ceiling: 15,000ft (4,572m; 2.8miles)
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| Structure: |
Accommodation: 2 + 5
Hardpoints: 2
Empty Weight: 3,289lbs (1,492kg)
MTOW: 5,501lbs (2,495kg)
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| Powerplant: |
| Engine(s): 1 x Allison T703-AD-700 (Allison 250-C30R) turboshaft engine generating 650shp and driving a four-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor. |
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| Armament Suite: |
Mission-specific weapons loadout may consist of any combination of the following:
4 x Stinger AAMs
4 x AGM-114C Hellfire anti-armour missiles
2 x Seven round rocket pods
2 x Podded 7.62mm Machine guns
2 x Podded 0.50in Machine guns
2 x Podded 7.62mm Miniguns
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| Pictures of the Bell OH-58 Kiowa |
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Aircraft Quick Profile |
Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense.
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| 1969 |
Designation: Bell OH-58 Kiowa
Classification Type: Armed Scout and Reconnaissance / Light Attack Helicopter
Contractor: Bell Helicopter Textron - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Production Total: 2,200 |
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Operators: Australia; Austria; Canada; Dominican Republic; Saudi Arabia; Taiwan; United States
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| Variants |
OH-58 "Kiowa" - Base Model from which the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior is developed from.
OH-58D - Fitted with mast-mounted sight; new four-blade main rotor system.
OH-58D "Kiowa Warrior" - Armed Conversion Model Designation; support for rocket pods, Hellfire AT missiles, Stinger AAMs and various gun pods; uprated transmission system; lighter structure design; IR jammer and RWR; increased MTOW; fitted with laser warning receiver.
OH-58X - Proposed (ultimately dropped) Dedicated Night Flying Model; fitted with chin-mounted specialized night flight systems; GPS.
406CS "Combat Scout" - Saudi Arabian Export Model Designation; delivered sans mast-mounted sight and some avionics; fitted with Saab-Emerson HeliTOW sight instead.
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