User Guide

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
PUBLICATION
Aircraft – Rotary-Wing – Military
COUNTRY
USA
COMPANY
Bell
TITLE
Bell 406 (AHIP)
DESIGNATIONS
OH-58D Kiowa and Kiowa
Warrior (US Army).
TYPE
Two-seat scout and attack helicopter.
VARIANTS
Prime Chance. Fifteen special armed OH-58Ds (86-8908 to -8922) modified from
September 1987 under Operation Prime Chance for use against Iranian high-
speed boats in Gulf; delivery started after 98 days, in December 1987; firing clear-
ance for Stinger, Hellfire, 0.50 in gun and seven-tube rocket pods completed in
seven days. Further conversion (85-24716) for development trials. All currently
operated by 4-17th Cavalry at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Kiowa Warrior. Armed version, to which all planned OH-58Ds are being modified;
integrated weapons pylons, uprated transmission and engine, lateral CG limits
increased, raised gross weight, EMV protection of avionics bays, localised
strengthening, RWR, IR jammer, video recorder, SINCGARS radios, laser warning
receiver and tilted vertical fin; armament same as Prime Chance; integrated
avionics and lightened structure. converted aircraft (of which 89-0090 was first)
reportedly have since reverted to standard, but low-observable OH-58Ds of 1-17th
Cavalry at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, operating with undisclosed modifications by
1993; changes include coated rotor blades, new windscreen material and modified
rotor sail, rotor cuffs and hubs for substantial reduction in frontal radar signature.
Further modifications for Warrior, currently under consideration, include undernose
FLIR turret (tested late 1993); 227 litre conformal fuel tanks on flanks of rear
cabin; radio frequency interferometer RWR; INS/GPS; digital map display;
integrated helmet display; and 19.5 percent power plant uprating for OGE hover
at 1220m at 35°C with four Hellfire ATMs.
OH-58X Light Utility Variant. Contender for anticipated US Army requirement;
fourth development OH-58D (69-16322) modified in 1992 with partial stealth
features (including chisel nose).
LONGBOW 2
7.10