OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

	Kiowa Warrior Capabilities Page
		OH-58D(I) Kiowa Warrior Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron Top Speed: 125Kts Gross Weight: 5200lbs Crew: 2 Pilots Weapons: AGM-114A/C/F/K Hellfire Missile Air To Air Stinger Missile System (ATAS) 70mm Hydra Rocket System .50 Caliber Machine Gun Endurance: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes. Mission: Armed Reconnaissance and Light Attack.

The OH-58D started out in the early 1980s as an improvement of the venerable OH-58A/C scout helicopter. Conceived as an Artillery observation platform, it was equipped with the latest in thermal imaging, high resolution television and laser designation technology. With a totally integrated navigation, communication, and digital data transfer, it was the first operational glass cockpit aircraft in the US Army inventory. In the Artillery observation role the OH-58D proved invaluable during many operations at the Combat Training Centers, like the National Training Center at Ft Irwin California, the Joint Readiness Training Center at then Ft Chaffee Arkansas (Now Ft Polk Louisiana) and the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hoehenfels, Germany. During the tense times prior to the Gulf War, there was a need for a small helicopter to help clear the shipping lanes in the Persian gulf. The Navy had no such light helicopter gunship and asked the Army for help. The only helicopter small enough was the OH-58, and the 58D was the logical choice because of its increased power, and night fighting capabilities.
		After a very short time for research and development, The OH-58D was armed and deployed on Operation PRIME CHANCE. The aircraft with the new weapons system modifications became known as the "PRIME CHANCE" variants. These small aircraft with Night Vision Technology conducted operations in the gulf from 1988 until the close of Operation Desert Storm. The small aircraft were so lethal that the Iraqi's dubbed them "BLACK DEATH." The "PRIME CHANCE" aircraft were so successful in combat the US Army decided to retrofit all OH-58Ds with armament systems. With an increased budget and extra time to develop and integrate the systems, armament and software, the OH-58D(I) Kiowa Warrior was born