The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on its Model 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 was in continuous U.S. Army service from 1969 to 2017, when it was replaced in this role by the Boeing AH-64 Apache.The latest model, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, is primarily operated in an armed reconnaissance role in support of ground troops. The OH-58 has been exported to Austria, Canada, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Greece. It has also been produced under license in Australia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_OH-58_Kiowa
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Length: 42 ft 2 in (12.85 m)
- Height: 12 ft 10 in (3.93 m)
- Empty weight: 3,829 lb (1,737 kg)
- Gross weight: 5,500 lb (2,495 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A turboshaft, 650 hp (485 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
- Main rotor area: 962.11 sq ft (89.42 m2)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 149 mph (240 km/h, 129 kn)
- Cruise speed: 127 mph (204 km/h, 110 kn)
- Range: 161 mi (556 km, 140 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,575 m)
Armament
- Hardpoints: 2 pylons with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets: 1x LAU-68 rocket launcher with seven 2.75" Hydra 70 rockets
- Missiles: 2x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
- Other: 1x .50 cal (12.7 mm) M3P (or M296) heavy machine gun[124]
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