Bell Oh-58d Kiowa Warrior. Multi-purpose Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter

Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Multi-purpose reconnaissance and attack helicopter

On arms 160 th special aviation unit, better known as the Night Hunter is a helicopter OH-58D Kiowa Warrior firm Bell Helicopter Textron. This is the first reconnaissance attack helicopter U.S.. It allows for exploration of ground targets and adjust artillery fire. The first helicopter flight took place on October 6, 1981 The helicopter OH-58D installed cost engine 454 kW.

Instead, semi-rigid two-bladed propeller used four-bladed rotor with an elastic suspension. Tail rotor – dvuhlopastnyy.ON-580 can stay aloft for 2.5 hours. To reduce the possibility of defeat missiles with infrared head pointing at the helicopter the system attenuation of thermal radiation of the engine and the station of active infrared jamming ALQ-44 (V) 1. The crew and the fuel tanks on the OH-58D closed broneschitami to withstand hitting 30-mm projectiles.

Helicopter OH-58D is able to carry out reconnaissance missions at any time of day and in bad weather. The equipment consists of television and infrared devices, laser range finder-designator, Doppler radar system and night vision device mounted on the pilot’s helmet. For target detection and determine the distance to her helicopter the optoelectronic system Mast Mounted Sight (MMS), is located on sleeve rotor. In 1991, 15 helicopters, OH-58D Warrior took part in the hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

Modifications of the helicopter:

OH-58D Kiowa – the first production series in the role of scout.

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior – modification reconnaissance attack helicopter.

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior MPLH – modification of the Multi-Purpose Light Helicopter, the role of multipurpose helicopter special operations forces.

Stealth Kiowa Warrior – a promising variant of the helicopter with a system of low visibility of the Stealth.

Upgraded Kiowa Warrior – a promising alternative to the IR sensors, laser target designation system, with digital displays on the pilot’s helmet.

The main tactical and technical characteristics:

Year of adopting – 1985

Main rotor diameter – 10.67 m

Tail rotor diameter – 1,65 m

Length – 10,48 m

Height – 2,29 m

Weight, kg

- Empty – 1492

- Maximum take-off – 2492

Domestic Fuel – 454 l

Engine Type – 1 GTD Allison 250-S30H

Power – 1 x 660 hp

Maximum speed – 241 km / h

Cruising speed – 237 km / h

Range – 463 km

Duration – 2,24 ch.min

Rate of climb – 469 m / min

Service ceiling – 6250 m

Hovering ceiling – 3360 m

Crew – 2 people

Armament: Combat load – 227 kg at 2 sites Suspension: 4 antitank guided missile AGM-114 Hellfire, or 4 SD air-to-air “AIM-92A Stinger, or 2-mm PU 7h70 NUR Hydra 70, or 2 containers Global Helicopter Technology CFD – 5000 1 12.7-mm Colt-Browning M3 machine gun or 2 7.62-mm machine guns, or 2 containers NC 20M621 with a 20-mm cannon GIAT M621 and 180 cartridges.