OH-58D Kiowa Warrior American Reconnaissance Helicopter
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Reconnaissance Helicopter
Other
Basic Information
Name
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior American Reconnaissance Helicopter
Designation
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Alternate Designation
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Equipment Type
Reconnaissance Helicopter
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1985
Description
The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior American Reconnaissance Helicopter is a single engine reconnaissance helicopter, developed by Bell. It represents a further development of its predecessor, the OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopter.
Air & Air Defense Specifications
Crew
2
Engine
Turboshaft (650 hp)
Max Speed
240.0 km/h
Cruise Speed
204.0 km/h
Range
556.0 km
Endurance
2.00 hrs
Service Ceiling
4575 m
Variants
OH-58A
The OH-58A Kiowa is a four-place observation helicopter. It has two-place pilot seating, although the controls in the left seat are designed to be removed to carry a passenger up front. During its Vietnam development, it was fitted with the M134 Minigun, a 7.62 mm electrically operated machine gun.
OH-58B
The OH-58B was an export version for the Austrian Air Force.
OH-58C
Equipped with a more robust engine, the OH-58C was supposed to solve issues regarding the Kiowa's power. In addition to the improved engine, it had unique IR suppression systems mounted on its exhaust. Early OH-58Cs had flat-panel windscreens as an attempt to reduce glint from the sun, which could reveal its location to enemies.
OH-58F
The OH-58F is an OH-58D upgrade.
OH-58F Block II
On 14 April 2011, Bell performed the successful first flight of the OH-58F Block II variant. It was Bell's entry in the Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) program.
System
Alternative Designation
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Type
Reconnaissance Helicopter
Crew
2 ea
Number of Engines
1 ea
Number of Hard Points
2 ea
Dimensions
Length
12.85 m
Main Rotor Diameter
10.67 m
Main Rotor Area
89.42 m2
Height
3.93 m
Weight, Empty
1,737 kg
Weight, Gross
2,495 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
1 × Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A
Engine Type
Turboshaft
Engine Power
650 hp
Maximum Speed
240 km/h
Cruise Speed
204 km/h
Maximum Range
556 km
Service Ceiling
4,575 m
Endurance
2 hours
Main Gun System
Note
1 x pod with 12.7 mm machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
Missile Weapon Systems
Note
Up to 4 x AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles or up to 4 x FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
Rocket Weapon Systems
Note
2 x Hydra 70 rocket pods with unguided rockets in place of the missiles.
Fire Control and Avionics
Note
The mast mounted sight system allows Kiowa Warrior to operate in day/night and adverse weather conditions with limited vision. The MMS has a long-range target acquisition at a range of about 10 km. It rotates 180 degree left and right and is gyro-stabilized. The MMS is controlled by the co-pilot, while the main pilot is fully occupied by flying the helicopter.
Protection
Add on Armor
INA
Stealth Properties
No
NBC Protection
INA
EW Counter Measures/CCM
This helicopter is highly survivable due to various countermeasure kits, such as jammer for infrared seekers, radar warning receivers, laser warning receiver, and inherent infrared suppression.
Image Sources
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
Special Purpose Helicopters
Air > Special Purpose Helicopters
Filter Label
O
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
12.85 m
Width
—
Height
3.93 m
Weight
2495 kg
Operators (9)
Turkey
Austria
Croatia
Dominican Republic
Greece
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
Tunisia
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