Bell OH-58 Kiowa

Bell OH-58 Kiowa History

Since its introduction in May 1969, the Bell OH-58 Kiowa has served long and successfully with the U.S. Army (and other countries). This type is a further development of the civilian Bell 206 "JetRanger"/"LongRanger" multipurpose helicopter platform - first flight on 8 December 1962. The Bell 206 proved very successful in its civilian form, with approximately 7,300 eventually produced. The U.S.

Army selected the Bell 206 as the basis for the Kiowa series as part of its light observation helicopter program, and this selection in turn resulted in an equally successful militarized version called the OH-58 "Kiowa Warrior". About 2,200 Kiowas were eventually shipped to U.S. Army and Allied forces around the world.

The mount proved indispensable for armed reconnaissance, artillery observation, and the use of infantry fighting vehicles in conjunction with fast-moving cavalry formations.

On the outside, the Kiowa is streamlined and lightweight. The cockpit is located at the front of the fuselage, providing space for the pilot and co-pilot/observer. The cockpit offers excellent forward visibility thanks to its large front windshield and removable automotive-style side doors. Aft of the cockpit is the passenger cabin with exit doors and additional space for two or three people or two medical waste bins.

The engines are mounted above and aft of the passenger cabin and drive the main rotor blades. The OH-58D model (shown below) has a recognizable mast mounted sight (MMS) mounted on the main rotor mast. A slender tail protrudes from the rear of the fuselage and fits into a pair of horizontal mid-stern planes. At the very end of the tail is a vertical tail to starboard and a two-blade tail rotor to port. Instead of a standard powered wheeled landing gear, the Kiowa uses a more traditional and simplified heavy-duty landing gear system, mounted in two locations on the bottom of the fuselage.

The fast set-up inherent in the aircraft requires only ten minutes of setup time from unloading to flying.

Kiowa, originally known by the Bell model designation "206A", recorded its first flight on January 10, 1966. Production of the military Kiowa began in the same year and continued until 1989, covering different types and brands depending on mission needs, technological advancements or customer requirements.

The original OH-58 production model became the "OH-58A", a special four-seat light observation platform that was only partially armed when it served in the Vietnam War. The weapon can be an M134 miniature machine gun or an M129 40mm automatic grenade launcher, matching those on other US Army gunships in the conflict.

The OH-58A also entered service with the Canadian Army under the designation "COH-58A", which later became "CH-136". The OH-58A is equipped with an Allison T63-A-700 series turboshaft engine that produces 317 horsepower and has a top speed of 138 mph and a cruising speed of 117 mph.

Range is up to 300 miles, with service capped at approximately 19,000 feet. "OH-58B" is used to denote the Austrian export model.

The OH-58C features a more powerful engine, IR suppression, and an improved front windshield. The cockpit has also been partially redesigned and night vision support has been introduced. The OH-58C model was also the first to feature the AIM-92 Stinger short-range anti-aircraft missile, allowing a pair to be mounted along the attachment points on the sides of the fuselage.

This provides a maneuverable air deterrent to enemy aircraft/helicopters for cavalry units lacking such defenses.

The OH-58D became a clear icon of the Kiowa production line and made its first flight as a prototype on October 6, 1983. The OH-58D came from the U.S. Army's 1979 Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP), which saw Bell compete with a modified Hughes OH-6 Cayuse.

Bell eventually won the defense contract, and the OH-58D legacy was born, and the aircraft entered service in December 1985. It received a new engine and gearbox, as well as a four-blade main rotor assembly (blade system), and was intended as an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft. The most distinctive feature of this model brand is the McDonnell Douglas Space Mast Mounted Sight (MMS), which appears to be nothing more than a sphere mounted on a mast on the main rotor mast.

The MMS itself is a set of devices and lenses that includes a laser rangefinder/laser pointer, thermal imager, and television optics. Inside, the crew is greeted by an upgraded digital cockpit that introduces multifunction displays for both cockpit positions. In fact, the OH-58D was the first U.S.

Army helicopter to feature an "all-glass" cockpit. Interestingly, if digital goods fail, old analog gauges and instruments are preserved. The APR-39 indicator can alert pilots to enemy missile launches aimed at the aircraft.

As with most helicopters, the pilot and co-pilot positions are equipped with redundant controls.

The OH-58D became the 406CS "Combat Scout" exported by Saudi Arabia. These are of course stripped of valuable technical components and are therefore equipped with the Saab branded "HeliTOW" system to replace the MMS. The 406CS can then be equipped with missiles, machine guns or rocket launchers at the request of the Saudi military.

As development of the RAH-66 Comanche light attack helicopter was still in progress at this time, it had been assumed that the OH-58D would serve as a stopgap until the former could take the latter's place in the U.S. Army's inventory.

The OH-58D "Kiowa Warrior" is equipped with a 650 hp Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A (or Allison 250-C30R/3) turboshaft engine. Top speed is 149 mph and cruising speed is 127 mph. The range is 345 miles, and the service cap is now down to 15,000 feet.

Weapon options include AGM-114 Hellfire guided anti-tank missiles, Hydra 70 series high-explosive unguided rockets, 12.7mm heavy machine guns (mounted on M296 or M3P) and the aforementioned AIM-92 Stinger "air force. Anti-aircraft missiles (the latter has been retired from active use by the Kiowa Warriors).

Nearly 600 existing OH-58A and OH-58C models were initially expected to be upgraded to the newer OH-58D standard, but fewer than 500 were eventually contracted for the change. Additionally, the initial unarmed nature of the OH-58D quickly became an armed light reconnaissance aircraft, with approximately 188 instances becoming the "Kiowa Warrior". To date, the OH-58D has made various beneficial upgrades to its existing design.

These include a foldable horizontal stabilizer, foldable main rotor blades (all blades fold over the empennage), improved communications, and a "squat" wheeled landing gear (replacement gear) for easier ground handling and storage in Class C hangar and transport aircraft. The MMS is also removable for a lower profile and can be stored on a dedicated stand along the side of the Kiowa hull.

According to sources, the "OH-58F" designation is the proposed name for a modernization program to keep the OH-58 family in the air for the next decade, possibly 2025. The type is expected to introduce additional proven systems that could extend the OH-58's self-sufficiency and range on the battlefield, as well as improve aircrew performance and survivability.

The "OH-58X" designation was used for an obsolete OH-58D program that would add limited stealth and a sophisticated McDonnell Douglas electronic system chin mount (for FLIR and night pilots) and other interiors System upgrades, though eventually produced some related "stealth warrior" OH-58Ds. These are in service in Iraq and feature sharper nose assemblies, vent covers, radar absorbing coatings, and various other subtle internal and external differences.

Overall, the OH-58 family is in service with the Air Forces of Australia, Austria, Canada, Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The U.S.

Army currently uses OH-58A, OH-58C, and OH-58D "Kiowa Warrior" models in its stables, although all OH-58D Kiowa Warriors serve in the 6th and 17th Cavalry Regiments.

The American OH-58 received their first baptism of firepower in the Vietnam War, and the helicopter was officially a proven weapon of war. The first Kiowas arrived in Southeast Asia in August 1969, in service with rival Hughes OH-6A "Cayuse" helicopters. In further combat operations, the OH-58 conducted best-opportunity operations over the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War, defending shipping (tankers) in the region - especially against Iranian naval gunboats actively operating in Gulf waters. The success of the armed role and the delay in the RAH-66 Comanche light attack helicopter program prompted the evolution of the Kiowa into a specialized armed scout ("Kiowa Warrior").

Operation Justice Action is another call to action, with the OH-58 in service with Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. In addition, the Kiowa have long served in volatile Somalia and deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo as part of a NATO alliance.

More recently, the OH-58 was used extensively during the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, where it endured insurgent attacks and debilitating dust storms.

Interestingly, both the RAH-66 Comanche and Bell ARH-70 light helicopters would eventually replace the OH-58s of the 1960s. However, due to skyrocketing program costs and delays, both programs were completely canceled by the U.S. government (RAH-66 in 2004 and ARH-70 in 2008 - ARH-70 itself was the intended replacement for RAH- -- 66), resulting in the OH-58 still more or less firmly in control of its near-term future, so the modernization program will help ensure it remains a viable battlefield tool for years to come.

Tunisia is said to be 24 Ex-U. S. Army OH-58D helicopter in the US Army type trigger. The service is expected to deploy AH-64D/E Apache attack helicopters along with RQ-7 Shadow UAV units for armed aerial reconnaissance missions. The U.S. Army is expected to retire approximately 300 OH-58D systems.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes