OH-58D KIOWA WARRIOR RECONNAISSANCE / ATTACK HELICOPTER,
USA
The Armed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, in service with the US Army, is
supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron of Fort Worth, Texas. Around
375 Kiowas are in service and the single engine, double-bladed
armed reconnaissance helicopter has been deployed in support of
United States armed forces around the world including Haiti,
Somalia and the Gulf of Arabia (Desert Storm and Desert Shield). In
2002, Kiowas were deployed as part of NATO's SFOR forces in Bosnia
and, in 2003, 120 Kiowas were deployed in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom.
The primary mission of the helicopter is in the scout attack role.
The helicopter can be optionally equipped to carry out transport
and utility roles using equipment kits installed externally on
existing hard points. A cargo-carrying hook is rated to carry loads
up to 2,000lb. Emergency casualty evacuation can be carried out,
transporting two casualties on litters (stretchers), plus over
320kg of supplies, to an operating radius of more than 185km. The
Kiowa can be used for insertion of up to six troops for critical
point security missions.
Two Kiowas can be transported in a C-130 aircraft. For air
transportation, the vertical tail fin pivots, the main rotor blades
and the horizontal stabiliser are folded, and the mast-mounted
sight, the IFF antenna and the lower wire cutter are removed. The
landing gear can kneel to decrease the height.
COCKPIT
The Kiowa was the first US Army helicopter to have an all-glass
cockpit. The cockpit is supplied by Sperry Flight Systems and is
equipped with a multiple target tracking/moving target indicator,
an aviation night-vision system (ANVIS) display symbology system
and a helmet-mounted display. The primary multifunction displays
provide situation information, communications control and the
mast-mounted sight video. A video recorder stores television and
thermal imagery from the mission and allows playback in the
cockpit.
WEAPONS
The OH-58D is equipped with two universal quick-change weapons
pylons. Each pylon can be armed with two Hellfire missiles, seven
Hydra 70 rockets, two air-to-air Stinger missiles or one .50
calibre fixed forward machine gun.
Mission processors control the suite of mission subsystems via a
military standard 1553B bus. An onboard computer provides laser
ranging and target location within 10m.
COUNTERMEASURES
The countermeasures suite includes an AN/ALQ-144 infrared jammer,
radar warning receivers against pulsed and continuous wave radars
and a laser warning detector.
FIRE CONTROL AND OBSERVATION
The distinctive mast-mounted sight (MMS) from Boeing, situated
above the rotor blades, enables the Kiowa Warrior to operate by day
and night and to engage the enemy at the maximum range of the
weapon systems and with the minimum exposure of the helicopter. The
mast mounted sight contains a suite of sensors, including: a
high-resolution television camera for long-range target detection;
a thermal imaging sensor for navigation, target acquisition and
designation; a laser rangefinder/designator for target location and
guidance of the Hellfire missiles and designation for Copperhead
artillery rounds; and a boresight assembly, which provides
in-flight sensor alignment. The laser rangefinder / designator is
also employed for handoff to an AH-1 Cobra helicopter for TOW
missile engagements.
DRS Technologies is currently responsible for the contract for the
sensor suite and, in February 2005, was awarded a contract to
upgrade the thermal imaging system on the MMS. The Thermal Imaging
Systems Upgrade (TISU) will provide enhanced target detection and
range. Deliveries are to be completed by mid-2006.
NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
The US Army OH-58D is equipped with an attitude-heading reference
system (AHRS) from Litton and an integrated global positioning
system and inertial navigation system (GPS/INS). A data-loading
module allows the pre-mission storing of navigation waypoint data
and radio frequencies.
The mission equipment includes an improved data modem for digital
battlefield communications (IDMDBC). The communications system is
based on the Have-Quick UHF and SINCGARS FM anti-jam radio.
ENGINE
The OH-58D helicopter is equipped with a Model 250 485kW turbine
engine from Rolls-Royce. The transmission has a transient power
level of 475kW. The engine and transmission system have been
upgraded to provide high performance levels in high temperatures
and extreme climates.
