OH-58 Kiowa

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. Under a program designated Prime Chance, some OH-58Ds have been retrofitted to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

General Characteristics

• Length: 42.2 feet (12.9 metres) with rotors
• Width: 7.9 feet (2.4 metres)
• Height: 12.9 feet (3.9 metres)
• Weight: 2.3 tons (2.1 tonnes) unarmed, 2.8 tons (2.54 tonnes)under Prime Chance
• Speed: 149 miles per hour (239 km/h)
• Range: 288 miles (462 kilometres)
• Crew: 2

Armament under Prime Chance

various combinations of:

• FIM-92 Stinger missiles
• AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
• Hydra 70 rockets
• .50-caliber machine gun

Following the U.S. military's naming convention for helicopters, the Kiowa is named after a native American tribe.