Bell OH-58A Kiowa

History

The Bell (model 206A) OH-58A Kiowa was procured by the U.S. Army when the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program was reopened for an additional buy in March 1968. The OH-58A was first deployed to Vietnam in early autumn 1969. The Kiowa operated with air cavalry, attack helicopter, and field artillery units. The OH-58A could also be configured as a troop transport, MedEvac, or for external lift missions using an external hook. Kiowas were commonly paired with the AH-1G Huey Cobra. The Kiowa would fly low to draw enemy fire, "trolling for fire, mark the target, and call in the Cobra to attack. The OH-58A Kiowa could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun. However the vibration from the minigun was too great for the frame until it was rebuilt for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The Kiowa could also be armed with the 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. The Kiowa had a two-bladed semi-rigid seesaw all metal main rotor and a two-bladed rigid delta hinge all metal tail rotor. The OH-58A is powered by a single Allison 250-C18 317 shp turbine engine and has a speed of 132 mph (115 knots).

Some OH-58B/OH-58C Kiowas were armed with the Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) antiaircraft missile system. Two Stingers were mounted on the left (port) side hard points. The OH-58C features flat plate windshields, infrared suppression, is powered by an Allison 250-C20B 420 shp turbine engine, and has an improved transmission. The Bell (model 206A) was sold in eight countries. It was built under license in Italy and was licensed for co-production in Australia.

The Bell OH-58A "Kiowa" was acquired from the Federal Surplus, was previously utilized by the Pennsylvania National Guard.

While used by the military as a light observation helicopter, the OH-58 is more readily recognized as the Bell "Jet Ranger".

Specifications

Description

Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Company (now Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.)
Designation: OH-58
Version: A
Name: Kiowa
Type: Utility/general purpose/gun ship
Cabin: Plot and optional co-pilot/observer side-by-side, and up to three passengers or 1,534 lbs. of freight crammed in the rear of the cabin.
Army Serial Number: 0-15117

Dimensions

Fuselage Length: 32 ft 3.5 in
Height: 9 ft 6.5 in
Rotor Diameter: 33 ft 4 in

Weights

Empty Weight: 1,585 lb.
Max. Weight: 3,200 lb. (maximum take-off)

Propulsion

Power plant: One Allison T63-A-700 turboshaft rated at 317 shp
Fuel capacity: Internal fuel 73 Us gal (60.7 Imp gal; 276.3 liters); external fuel none; no provision for in-flight refueling

Performance

Range: 380 miles
Cruising Speed (Sea Level): 121 mph
Max. Speed (level): 138 mph
Ceiling: 18,500 ft

Armament

One McDonnell Douglas M27 armament kit centered on one 0.3 in (7.62 mm) General Electric Ml 34 Minigun rotary six-barrel machine gun with 2,000 rounds in an elevating mount on the port side of the fuselage

Electronic & operational equipment

Standard communication and navigation equipment, plus (fire control and weapons management) provision for optical sight, and (defensive sensors and systems) E-Systems APR-39(V) RWR being replaced by AEL APR-44(V), Perkin-Elmer AVR-2 laser warning receiver and Tracor M130 chaff/flare dispenser.