The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor military helicopters that the United States Army used for observation, utility and direct fire support. It grew out of Bell's D-250 design for the Light Observation Helicopter competition, which Hughes won in 1965 with the OH-6 Cayuse before the competition reopened and a variant of Bell's civil Model 206A was selected. The first model, the OH-58A, entered service in May 1969, and successive versions culminated in the armed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior with a four-blade rotor, which saw combat in the Gulf War, Panama and Afghanistan. Bell built 2,325 OH-58 helicopters, and the Army retired its last OH-58C in September 2020.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) EngineRolls-Royce T703-AD-700A turboshaft 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Of Make
Source Bell OH-58 Kiowa (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Bell OH-58 Kiowa (Wikipedia)
Lead, OH-58A introduction
The initial model, designated by the service as the OH-58A, was introduced in May 1969.
Specifications (OH-58D), empty weight
Empty weight: 3,829 lb (1,737 kg)
Specifications (OH-58D), maximum speed
Maximum speed: 149 mph (240 km/h, 129 kn)
Operators and production
2,325 OH-58 were produced, with an additional 56 Bell 206B-1 built.
Specifications (OH-58D), powerplant
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A turboshaft, 650 hp (485 kW)
Lead, aircraft description
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine single-rotor military helicopters
Lead, builder
It was produced by the American manufacturer Bell Helicopter and is closely related to the Model 206A JetRanger civilian helicopter.
Lead, country
It was produced by the American manufacturer Bell Helicopter and is closely related to the Model 206A JetRanger civilian helicopter.
In Group: Military Transport and Utility Helicopters, Lead, role of the aircraft
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine single-rotor military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support.
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