Bell OH-58D Kiowa (Model 406)

n March 1968 Be I s Model 206A JetRanger five – seat light helicopter was ordered into production for The US Army as the OH-58A Kiowa for the light observation role. Deliveries began on 23 May 1969, and over five years a total of 2,200 was procured. Export customers comprised Australia (56 licence built Kalkadoons), Austria (12 OH-58Bs) and Canada (74 C0H-58As).From 1978, 585 OH-S8As were converted to improved OH-58C standard with a flat glass canopy, an uprated engine with infra-red suppression and improved avionics.

In 1981, the Bell Model 406 proposal was selected as the winner of the US Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP) competition. This new version, known as the OH-58D, introduced a mast-mounted sight (housing a TV and IR sensor with a laser designator/rangefinder), a four-bladed main rotor, defensive systems (including an IR jam­mer and laser-warning system) specialised mission avionics and new cockpit displays.

Initial plans to upgrade 592 US Army OH-58As to OH-58D standard have been revised several times and the current total stands at 424. The first OH-68D conversions began in 1983. In 1987, 15 specially – armed OH-58Ds were upgraded for Operation Prime Chance. Based aboard US Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf, they were used on clandestine missions against Iranian fast-patrol boats, that were harassing international oil tanker traffic. The deci­sion was taken to add a permanent weapons fit to
all US OH-58Ds, becoming known as OH-58DII) Kiowa Warriors. All of the US Army’s OH-58Ds are now Kiowa Warrior’s, and feature with integrated weapons pylon, uprated engine and transmission, increased gross weight, RWR, IR jammer, aser warning receiver, integrated avionics and a lighter structure. Typical weapons include Hellfire missiles, 70-mm rockets and 0.50-in gun pods. Beginning in May 1991, 192 new-build Kiowa warriors were delivered to the US Army, and 25 Kiowa Warriors have also been acquired by the Taiwanese army.

All US Kiowa Warriors have been further modified modified to Multi-Purpose Light Helicopter iMPLH) standard, with squatting landing gear and quick-folding rotor blades, fins and tails for rapid redeployment by air

The Model 406CS Combat Scout is a lighter and simplified export derivative of the OH-58D, retaining the main rotor, tail rotor and transmission and a similar powerplant. Fifteen TOW-capable OH-58s were delivered from June 1990 onwards to Saudi Arabia as MH-58Ds.

Specification: OH-MD(I) Kiowa Warrior Powerplant: one 435-kW (650-hp) Allison 250-C30R/3IT703-AD-7D0) turboshaft Dimensions: main rotor diameter 10.67 re (35 ft 0 ;n|; length overall, rotors turning 12.58 m (42 ft 72 in) ard fuselage 10.48 m (34 ft 4Kin); height overall 3.93 m (12 ft Ш in)

Weights: empty 1492 kg (3,289 lb); maximum take-off 2495 kg (5,500 lb)

Performance: maximum leve speed 232 kmh (144 mph); hovering ceiling more than 3660 m (12,000 ft) in ground effect and 3415 m (11,200 ft) out of ground effect; range 436 km (308 miles) Armament: 0.50-in gun pods. 70-mm rocket pods, plus provision Tor Stinger AAMs and hellfire anti-armour missiles