OH-58 Kiowa
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OH-58D_2.jpg
The OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopter has the primary missions of reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior has the additional mission capability of target acquisition and laser designation. It can operate during the day or night and in limited adverse weather. To carry out Operation Prime Chance, the escort of oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War, OH-58Ds were retrofitted to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.
Following the U.S. military's naming convention for helicopters, the Kiowa is named after a native American tribe.
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General Characteristics
- Length: 42.2 ft (12.9 m) with rotors
- Width: 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
- Height: 12.9 ft (3.9 m)
- Weight: 2.3 tons (2.1 tonnes) unarmed, 2.8 tons (2.54 tonnes)under Prime Chance
- Speed: 149 mile/h (239 km/h)
- Range: 288 miles (462 km)
- Crew: 2
The Kiowa is an adaptation of the Bell JetRanger civilian helicopter.
Armament under Prime Chance
various combinations of:
- FIM-92 Stinger missiles
- AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
- Hydra 70 rockets
- 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine gun
Films
The Kiowa D-variant was seen in the film Fire Birds
See also
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