Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior / 406CS Combat Scout

The Kiowa Warrior was to be replaced by the RAH-66 Comanche, which went on
to be cancelled in 2004.

Designation: Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior / 406CS Combat Scout
Classification Type: Armed Scout and Reconnaissance / Light Attack
Helicopter
Contractor: Bell Helicopter Textron - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1985
Number Built: 188

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 wing stubs 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.

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.

Specifications for the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Dimensions:
Length: 34.38ft (10.48m)
Width: 35.01ft (10.67m)
Height: 12.89ft (3.93m)

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)

Structure:
Accommodation: 2 + 5
Empty Weight: 3,289lbs (1,492kg)
MTOW: 5,501lbs (2,495kg)

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.
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