The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support.

• Role: Observation/scout helicopter
• National origin: United States of America
• Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
• First flight: Bell 206A: 10 January 1966^, OH-58D: 6 October 1983^, OH-58F: 26 April 2013
• Introduction: 1969
• Status: In service
• Produced: 1966–1989
• Number built: 2,200
• Developed from: Bell 206

Military operators

• Austrian Armed Forces
• Republic of China Army
• Dominican Air Force
• Royal Saudi Land Forces
• Turkish Army
• United States Army

Former operators

• Australian Army
• Canadian Forces

Specifications

OH-58A

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot, 2 pilots, or 1 pilot and 1 observer
• Length: 32 ft 2 in (9.80 m)
• Rotor diameter: 35 ft 4 in (10.77 m)
• Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m)
• Empty weight: 1,583 lb (718 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 3,000 lb (1,360 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Allison T63-A-700 turboshaft, 317 shp (236 kW)
• Fuselage length: 34 ft 4.5 in (10.48 m)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 120 knots (222 km/h, 138 mph)
• Cruise speed: 102 knots (188 km/h, 117 mph)
• Range: 299 mi (481 km, 260 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,800 m)

Armament

• Guns: M134 six-barreled 7.62mm minigun mounted on the M27 Armament Subsystem
  OR
  M129 grenade launcher mounted on the XM8 Armament Subsystem

OH-58D

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 pilots
• Length: 42 ft 2 in (12.85 m)
• Main rotor diameter: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
• Height: 12 ft 10⁵⁄₈ in (3.93 m)
• Main rotor area: 14.83 ft² (1.38 m²)
• Empty weight: 3,829 lb (1,737 kg)
• Gross weight: 5,500 lb (2,495 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A or 250-C30R3 turboshaft, 650 hp (485 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 149 mph (240 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 127 mph (204 km/h)
• Range: 161 miles (556 km)
• Endurance: 2.0 hours
• Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,575 m)

Armament

• Each pylon (two total) can carry one of the following:
• 1x M3P (or M296) .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine gun
• 1x LAU-68 rocket launcher w/ seven 2.75″ Hydra 70 rockets
• 2x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles

OH-58F

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 pilots
• Empty weight: 3,496 lb (1,586 kg)
• Gross weight: 5,500 lb (2,495 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C30R3 turboshaft, 650 hp (485 kW) each

Performance

• Cruise speed: 109 (with weapons) mph (176 km/h)
• Range: 161 miles (260 km)
• Endurance: 2.0 hours

Armament

• Each pylon (two total) can carry one of the following:
• 1x M3P .50 cal (12.7mm) machine gun
• 1x M260 rocket launcher w/ seven 2.75″ Hydra 70 rockets
• 2x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
• 2x JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missile)