View source for Bell OH-58 Kiowa

{{Short description|1967 scout helicopter series by Bell Helicopter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
| name = OH-58 Kiowa
| image = OH-58D 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = An OH-58D Kiowa Warrior taking off from [[FOB MacKenzie|Forward Operation Base MacKenzie]] during the [[Iraq War]] in 2004
| aircraft_type = Observation and reconnaissance helicopter
| national_origin = United States
| manufacturer = [[Bell Helicopter]]
| first_flight = Bell 206A: 10 January 1966<ref name=Donald>Donald, David, ed. "Bell Model 206 JetRanger", ''The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft''. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. {{ISBN|0-7607-0592-5}}.</ref> <br/>OH-58D: 6 October 1983<ref name="Jackson-1">Jackson, Paul, Lindsay T. Peacock, Kenneth Munson, and John W. R. Taylor. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1996–97''. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1996. {{ISBN|978-0-7106-1377-6}}.</ref> <br/>OH-58F: 26 April 2013
| introduction = May 1969
| retired = 2020 (U.S. Army)
| status = In service
| primary_user = [[United States Army]] (historical)<ref name="Cannon14Jul20">{{cite web |url= https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/kiowa-helicopters-make-final-flight-at-jrtc-fort-polk/|title= Kiowa helicopters make final flight at JRTC & Fort Polk|access-date= 11 November 2020|last= Cannon |first= Chuck |work= Vertical Magazine |date= 14 July 2020 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20201111173052/https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/kiowa-helicopters-make-final-flight-at-jrtc-fort-polk/|archive-date= 11 November 2020 |url-status= live}}</ref>
| more_users = [[Republic of China Army]] <br/>[[Royal Saudi Land Forces]] <br/>[[Hellenic Army]] <!--Limited to only three in total; separate using <br /> -->
| produced = 1966–1989<ref group="note">The last new build aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1989. The subsequent arming of the AHIP and the System Safety Enhancement Program (SSEP) caused aircraft to be steadily refitted until 1999.</ref>
| number_built = 2,325<ref name=forcastint/><br>plus 58 206B-1
| developed_from = [[Bell 206]]
}}

The '''Bell OH-58 Kiowa''' is a family of single-engine single-[[Helicopter rotor|rotor]] [[military helicopter]]s used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. It was produced by the American manufacturer [[Bell Helicopter]] and is closely related to the [[Bell 206|Model 206A JetRanger]] civilian helicopter.

The OH-58 was originally developed during the early 1960s as the ''D-250'' for the [[Light Observation Helicopter]] (LOH). While the rival [[Hughes OH-6 Cayuse]] was picked over Bell's submission in May 1965, the company refined its design to create the Model 206A, a variant of which it successfully submitted to the reopened LOH competition two years later. The initial model, designated by the service as the ''OH-58A'', was introduced in May 1969. Successive models followed, often with uprated engines, enhanced protection systems, and other improvements, culminating in the ''OH-58F''. Additional improvements, such as the ''OH-58X'', were proposed but not pursued.

During the 1970s, the US Army became interested in pursuing an advanced scout helicopter, for which the OH-58 would be further developed, evaluated, and ultimately procured as the ''OH-58D Kiowa Warrior''. The OH-58D is equipped to perform armed reconnaissance missions and to provide fire support to friendly ground forces; it is equipped with a distinctive Mast Mounted Sight (MMS) containing various sensors for target acquisition and laser designation. Another visible feature present on most OH-58s are knife-like extensions above and below the cockpit that form part of the passive [[wire strike protection system]]. The early-build OH-58s were equipped with a two-bladed main rotor, while the OH-58D and newer variants have a four-bladed rotor.

The OH-58 was primarily produced for the [[United States Army]], and deployed in the [[Vietnam War]] two months after its entry to service. The US Army made extensive use of various OH-58 models across numerous war zones over the decades, seeing active combat during the [[Gulf War]], the [[United States invasion of Panama|invasion of Panama]], and the [[War in Afghanistan]] among others. In 2017, the US Army withdrew its remaining OH-58s, using alternative rotorcraft such as the [[Boeing AH-64 Apache]] and [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs), to fill the role. The OH-58 has been exported to Austria, Canada, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Greece. It has also been [[licensed production|produced under license]] in Australia.

==Development==
===Light Observation Helicopter (LOH)===
On 14 October 1960, the [[United States Navy]] approached 25 helicopter manufacturers to request on behalf of the Army the submission of proposals for a [[Light Observation Helicopter]] (LOH). [[Bell Helicopter]] was one of the manufacturers approached, and chose to enter the competition along with 12 other manufacturers, including [[Hiller Aircraft]] and [[Hughes Helicopters|Hughes Tool Co., Aircraft Division]].<ref>{{cite web |last= Remington |first= Steve |url= http://www.collectair.com/cessna.html |title= The Cessna CH-1 Helicopter |publisher= CollectAir.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090621043635/http://www.collectair.com/cessna.html |archive-date= 21 June 2009}}</ref> Bell's design was internally referred to as the ''D-250'', and would be officially designated as the ''[[Bell YOH-4|YHO-4]]''.<ref name="LOH-1">{{cite web |last= Beechy |first= Robert |url= http://fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon/reference/usa/army.html |title= U.S Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061118064815/http://fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon/reference/usa/army.html |archive-date= 18 November 2006 |publisher= Uncommon Aircraft 2006 |date= 18 November 2005 |access-date= 19 September 2006}}</ref> On 19 May 1961, Bell and Hiller were announced as winners of the design competition.<ref>''See [[Light Observation Helicopter]]''. The Navy, who was assisting the Army in the selection phase, recommended the Hiller Model 1100, while the Army team preferred the Bell D-250, and then the 1100. The Selection Board selected both aircraft. Afterwards, the acting Army Chief of Staff directed the Selection Board to include the Hughes 369 in the fly-off competition.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Spangenberg |first= George A. |url= http://www.georgespangenberg.com/gasoralhistory.pdf |title= George A. Spangenberg Oral History |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080910202517/http://www.georgespangenberg.com/gasoralhistory.pdf |archive-date= 10 September 2008 |publisher= georgespangenberg.com |editor= Judith Spangenberg-Currier |pages= 187–190 |url-status= usurped |access-date= 29 April 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Oh4a002.jpg|thumb|right|YOH-4A LOH in flight]]
Bell developed the D-250 design into the ''Model 206'', while the HO-4 designation was changed to ''YOH-4A'' in 1962, and produced five prototype aircraft for the Army's test and evaluation phase. On 8 December 1962, the first prototype performed its [[maiden flight]].<ref name="1000photos-1">{{cite web |last= Visschedijk |first= Johan |url= http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/HistoryBriefs/Bell206.htm |title= Bell 206 JetRanger |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060914180524/http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/HistoryBriefs/Bell206.htm |archive-date= 14 September 2006 |publisher= 1000AircraftPhotos.com |date= 16 October 2003 |access-date= 19 September 2006}}</ref> The YOH-4A was also called the ''Ugly Duckling'' in comparison to other contending aircraft.<ref name="1000photos-1"/> After a fly off of the Bell, Hughes and Fairchild-Hiller prototypes, the [[Hughes OH-6 Cayuse]] was selected in May 1965.<ref>Spenser, Jay P. "Bell Helicopter". ''Whirlybirds, A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers'', p. 263. University of Washington Press, 1998. {{ISBN|0-295-98058-3}}.</ref>

When the YOH-4A was rejected by the Army, Bell went about solving the problem of marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped quarters for the planned three passengers in the back. The solution was a fuselage redesigned to be more sleek and aesthetic, adding {{convert|16|ft3|m3|abbr=off|lk=off}} of cargo space in the process.<ref name="aastad">{{cite magazine |last= Aastad |first= Andy |url= http://rotormagazine.org/Portals/24/pdf/winter2006_7/32.pdf |title= The Introduction to the JetRanger |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080910202517/http://rotormagazine.org/Portals/24/pdf/winter2006_7/32.pdf |archive-date= 10 September 2008 |magazine= Rotor Magazine |publisher= Helicopter Association International |date= Winter 2006–2007 |access-date= 29 April 2008}}</ref> The redesigned aircraft was designated as the ''Model 206A'', and Bell President Edwin J. Ducayet named it the ''JetRanger'' denoting an evolution from the popular [[Bell 47J Ranger|Model 47J ''Ranger'']].

In 1967, the Army reopened the LOH competition for bids because Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division could not meet the contractual production demands.<ref name="Holley_p8">Holley and Sloniker, p. 8.</ref><ref name= "flight cutaway2010">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/cutaway-ultimate-survivor-oh-58-enters-fifth-decade-stronger-than-ever/97391.article |title= CUTAWAY: Ultimate Survivor - OH-58 enters fifth decade stronger than ever |publisher= flightglobal.com |first= Stephen |last= Trimble |date= 13 December 2010}}</ref> Bell resubmitted for the program using the Bell 206A.<ref name="LOH-1"/> Fairchild-Hiller failed to resubmit their bid with the YOH-5A, which they had successfully marketed as the [[Fairchild Hiller FH-1100|FH-1100]].<ref name="Hirschberg">Hirschberg, Michael J. and David K. Daley. [http://www.vtol.org/History.htm#_Toc486998807 "Bell".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010605193600/http://www.vtol.org/History.htm |date=5 June 2001}} ''US and Russian Helicopter Development In the 20th Century''. [http://www.vtol.org/ American Helicopter Society]. 7 July 2000. Accessed on 20 April 2007.</ref> In the end, Bell underbid Hughes to win the contract and the Bell 206A was designated as the OH-58A. Following the U.S. Army's naming convention for helicopters, the OH-58A was named ''Kiowa'' in honor of the [[Kiowa|Native American tribe]].<ref name="Holley_p90">Holley and Sloniker, p. 90.</ref>

===Advanced Scout Helicopter===
[[File:OH-58A Kiowa US Army in flight.jpg|thumb|OH-58 Kiowa]]

In the 1970s, the U.S. Army began evaluating the need to improve the capabilities of their scout aircraft. Anticipating the [[AH-64 Apache|AH-64A]]'s replacement of the venerable [[AH-1 Cobra|AH-1]], the Army began shopping the idea of an Aerial Scout Program to stimulate the development of advanced technological capabilities for night vision and precision navigation equipment. The stated goals of the program included prototypes that would: <blockquote>...possess an extended target acquisition range capability by means of a long-range stabilized optical subsystem for the observer, improved position location through use of a computerized navigation system, improved survivability by reducing aural, visual, radar, and infrared signatures, and an improved flight performance capability derived from a larger engine to provide compatibility with attack helicopters.<ref name="cmh-1972-05">{{cite book |last= Cocke |first= Karl E. |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1972/ch05.htm |chapter= V Force Development |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1972/index.htm#Contents |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |year= 1972 |access-date= 17 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130602204630/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1972/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 2 June 2013 |url-status= dead}}</ref></blockquote>

During March 1974, the Army created a special task force at [[Fort Knox]] to develop the system requirements;<ref name="cmh-1974-11">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1974/ch11.htm |chapter= XI Research, Development and Acquisition |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1974/index.htm#Contents |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1974 |access-date= 14 April 2007 |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |first= Karl E. |last= Cocke |year= 1978 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214152124/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1974/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 14 December 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref> by the following year, the task force had devised the requirements for an Advanced Scout Helicopter (ASH) program. The requirements were formulated around an rotorcraft capable of performing in day, night, and adverse weather, and compatible with all advanced weapons systems planned for development and fielding into the 1980s. The program was approved by the System Acquisition Review Council and the Army prepared for competitive development to begin the next year.<ref name="cmh-1975-10">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1975/ch10.htm |chapter= X Research, Development and Acquisition |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1975 |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1975/index.htm#Contents |first= Karl E. |last= Cocke |year= 1978 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214152112/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1975/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 14 December 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref> However, as the Army tried to get the program off the ground, Congress declined to provide funding in the fiscal year 1977 budget and the ASH Project Manager's Office (PM-ASH) was closed on 30 September 1976.<ref name="cmh-1976-10">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1976/ch10.htm |chapter= Research, Development and Acquisition |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1976 |access-date= 14 April 2007 |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |first= Karl E. |last= Cocke |year= 1977 |archive-date= 14 May 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080514042454/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1976/ch10.htm |url-status= dead}}</ref>

While no development occurred for some years, the program survived as a requirement without funding. On 30 November 1979, the decision was made to defer development of an advanced scout helicopter in favor of modifying existing airframes in inventory as a near term scout helicopter (NTSH) option. The development of a mast-mounted sight would be the primary focus to improve the ability to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions while remaining hidden behind trees and terrain. Both the UH-1 and the OH-58 were evaluated as NTSH candidates, but the UH-1 was dropped from consideration due to its larger size and ease of detection. The OH-58, on the other hand demonstrated a dramatic reduction in detectability with a Mast-Mounted Sight (MMS).{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

On 10 July 1980, the Army decided that the NTSH would be a competitive modification program based on developments in the commercial helicopter sector, particularly Hughes Helicopters' [[MD Helicopters MD 500|Hughes 500D]], which had made major improvements over the OH-6.<ref name="cmh-1980-11">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1980/ch11.htm |chapter= 11. Research Development and Acquisition |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1980 |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1980/index.htm#Contents |access-date= 14 April 2007 |publisher= United States Army Center of Military History |year= 1983 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214152144/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1980/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 14 December 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP)===
The Army's decision to acquire the NTSH resulted in the "Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP)". Both Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopters redesigned their scout aircraft to compete for the contract. Bell offered a more robust version of the OH-58 in their ''Model 406'',<ref name="tri-2">{{cite web |url= http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/aahist3.htm#AHIP |title= Historic U.S. Army Helicopters |access-date= 14 April 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070224030112/http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/aahist3.htm#AHIP |archive-date= 24 February 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref> and Hughes offered an upgraded version of the OH-6. On 21 September 1981, Bell Helicopter Textron was awarded a development contract.<ref>{{cite web |first1= Robert S. |last1= Fairweather Jr. |first2= Grant |last2= Fossum |title= The AHIP: Field Artillery Aerial Observer Platform of the Future |publisher= Field Artillery Magazine |date= July–August 1982 |url= https://sill-www.army.mil/famag/1982/JUL_AUG_1982/JUL_AUG_1982_PAGES_14_17.pdf |url-status= live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123203331/http://sill-www.army.mil/famag/1982/JUL_AUG_1982/JUL_AUG_1982_PAGES_14_17.pdf |archive-date= November 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name="cmh-1981-11">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1981/ch11.htm |chapter= Research Development and Acquisition |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1981/index.htm#Contents |year= 1988 |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1981 |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |access-date= 14 April 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214152148/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1981/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 14 December 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref> On 6 October 1983, the first prototype performed its maiden flight,<ref name="Jackson-1"/> and the aircraft entered service two years later as the OH-58D.<ref name="cmh-1986-04">{{cite book |chapter= Modernizing and Equipping the Army |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1986/ch04.htm |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1986 |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1986/index.htm#Contents |year= 1995 |first= Terrence J. |last= Gough |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |access-date= 30 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100921164541/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1986/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 21 September 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

Initially intended for attack, cavalry, and artillery roles, the Army only approved a low initial production level and confined the OH-58D's role to field artillery observation. The Army also directed that a follow-on test be conducted to further evaluate it due to perceived deficiencies. On 1 April 1986, the Army formed a task force at Fort Rucker, Alabama, to remedy deficiencies in the AHIP.<ref name="cmh-1986-04"/> During 1988, the Army had planned to discontinue the OH-58D and focus on the LHX; however, Congress approved $138 million to expand the program, calling for the AHIP to operate with the Apache as a hunter/killer team; the AHIP would locate targets and the Apache would destroy them in a throwback to the traditional OH-58/AH-1 relationship.<ref name="cmh-1988-04">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1988/ch04.htm |chapter= Modernizing and Equipping the Army |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1988/index.htm#Contents |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1988 |publisher= United States Army Center of Military History |year= 1993 |first= William Joe |last= Webb |access-date= 30 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100921164855/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1988/index.htm#Contents |archive-date= 21 September 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

The Secretary of the Army directed instead that the aircraft's armament systems be upgraded, based on experience with Task Force 118's performance operating armed OH-58Ds in the Persian Gulf in support of [[Operation Prime Chance]], and that the type be used primarily for scouting and armed reconnaissance.<ref name="cmh-1989-11">{{cite book |chapter= 11. Modernization: Research, Development and Acquisition |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1989/CH11.htm |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1989 |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1989/Index.htm#TOC |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |year= 1998 |first= Vincent H. |last= Demma |access-date= 30 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100921164900/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1989/Index.htm#TOC |archive-date= 21 September 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The armed aircraft would be known as the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, denoting its new armed configuration. Beginning with the 202nd aircraft (s/n 89-0112) in May 1991, all remaining OH-58Ds were produced in the Kiowa Warrior configuration. During January 1992, Bell received its first retrofit contract to convert all remaining OH-58Ds to the Kiowa Warrior configuration.<ref name="Jackson-1"/>

===Production===
[[File:Flickr - The U.S. Army - Kiowa Warriors flight.jpg|thumb|Two OH-58Ds in flight]]

Overall 2,325 OH-58 were produced, with an additional 56 Bell 206B-1 also built.  Production of new airframes for the A and B models ended in 1977, and the D model in 2000. Conversions of early models to the D standard continued afterward.<ref name="forcastint">[https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=1054  (.pdf)]. forecastinternational.com</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:Cobra and Kiowa DF-ST-86-10445.JPEG|thumb|right|OH-58 with AH-1 Cobra in June 1985]]

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine single-[[Helicopter rotor|rotor]] [[military helicopter]]s principally used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. The primary role of the original OH-58A was to identify targets for other platforms, such as the [[Bell AH-1 Cobra]] [[attack helicopter]] and ground [[artillery]]; it lacked any armaments and weighed 1,451&nbsp;kg (3,200&nbsp;lb) when fully loaded, being able to carry a small amount of cargo or up to two passengers.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/> While initial examples were reliant on the crew to conduct observations, later models were furnished with sophisticated sensors to precisely determine a target's location. Payload capacity was also increased considerably on later-build rotorcraft, the OH-58D Kiowa was designed to carry a maximum load of 2,495&nbsp;kg, 72% more capacity than the original version.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/>

Early Kiowas were fitted with a flexible twin-bladed main rotor; starting with the OH-58D, a four-bladed rigid main rotor was used.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/> This was entirely composed of [[composite material]]s, the OH-58D was the first US Army rotorcraft to incorporate an all-composite main rotor hub. Later models were outfitted as light [[gunship]]s, being equipped with various armaments, such as [[Stinger]] [[air-to-air missile]]s, a .50-caliber [[machine gun]], podded 70mm [[Hydra rocket]]s and [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] [[air to ground missile]]s.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/> Other areas of improvement were the avionics and the cockpit; new navigation and communication systems were installed along with new and larger flight instrumentation, while all light sources were redesigned for compatibility with [[Night vision device|Night Vision Goggle]]s (NVG). Later versions were outfitted with a [[glass cockpit]], which retained conventional instrumentation as a fallback measure.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/>

[[File:OH-58D.webm|thumb|upright=1.35|right|OH-58D firing its [[.50 caliber machine gun]] and [[Hydra 70]] rockets]]
The OH-58D introduced perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Kiowa family — the Mast Mounted Sight (MMS), which resembles a [[beach ball]] perched above the rotor system. The MMS by [[Ball Aerospace & Technologies]] has a gyro-stabilized platform containing a television system (TVS), a [[Thermographic camera|thermal imaging system]] (TIS), and a [[Laser rangefinder|laser range finder]]/[[Laser designator|designator]] (LRF/D). These features gave the OH-58D the additional mission capability of target acquisition and laser designation in day or night, limited-visibility and adverse weather.<ref>{{cite web |series= Department of the Army Historical Summary |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1986/ch04.htm |title= Fiscal Year 1986: Chapter 4 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090122070833/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1986/ch04.htm |archive-date= 22 January 2009 |page= 43 |access-date= 17 February 2017}}</ref> In combination with the [[MIL-STD-1553|1553 databus]], the OH-58D being first US Army helicopter to be fielded with such equipment, target data from the sensors could be directly passed to precision-guided weapons.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/>

The MMS was developed by the McDonnell Douglas Corp. in Huntington Beach, CA. Production took place primarily at facilities in Monrovia, CA. As a result of a merger with Boeing, and a later sale of the business unit, the program is currently owned and managed by DRS Technologies, with engineering support based in Cypress, CA, and production support taking place in Melbourne, FL.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.drs.com/Products/RSTA/MMS.aspx |title= DRS Technologies, Inc. – Mast-Mounted Sight (MMS) |publisher= DRS Technologies |access-date= 11 February 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121108090300/http://drs.com/Products/RSTA/MMS.aspx |archive-date= 8 November 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> On the OH-58F, the MMS was removed, its functions having been replaced by the AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload, which is mounted on the chin.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/>

[[File:OH-58D 2.jpg|thumb|right|An OH-58D Kiowa Warrior takes off armed with an [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] and 7 [[Hydra 70]] rockets.]]
One distinctive feature of operational OH-58s are the knife-like extensions above and below the cockpit which are part of the passive [[wire strike protection system]]; it protects 90% of the frontal area of the helicopter from wire strikes that can be encountered at low altitudes by directing wires to the upper or lower blades before they can entangle the rotor blade or landing skids. The OH-58 was the first helicopter to test this system, after which the system was adopted by the US Army for the OH-58 and most of their other helicopters.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://magellan.aero/product/wsps/ |title= WSPS |author= Magellan Aerospace |website= magellan.aero |access-date= 1 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181201222822/http://magellan.aero/product/wsps/ |archive-date= 1 December 2018 |url-status= dead |author-link= Magellan Aerospace}}</ref> Various other defensive and survivability measures were incorporated, such as ballistic floor armor, a [[missile warning system]], crashworthy seats, and [[infrared]] suppression systems for the engine exhaust.<ref name= "flight cutaway2010"/>

==Operational history==
In May 1969, the first OH-58A Kiowa was officially received at a ceremony held at Bell Helicopter's Fort Worth plant, officiated by Major General [[John Norton (soldier)|John Norton]], commanding general of the Army Aviation Materiel Command (AMCOM).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.quad-a.org/Hall_of_Fame/personnel/norton.htm |title= Army Aviation Hall of Fame: Lieutenant General John Norton |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090814215925/http://www.quad-a.org/Hall_of_Fame/personnel/norton.htm |archive-date= 14 August 2009 |publisher= Army Aviation Association of America |access-date= 22 October 2008}}</ref> Two months later, on 17 August 1969, production OH-58A helicopters arrived in [[South Vietnam]] for the first time;<ref>{{cite web |url= http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/aahist2.htm |title= Historic U.S. Army Helicopters |date= 5 October 2005 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030212203929/http://tri.army.mil/lc/cs/csa/aahist2.htm |archive-date= 12 February 2003}}</ref> their deployment was accompanied by a New Equipment Training Team (NETT) comprising personnel from both the US Army and Bell Helicopters.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.flyarmy.org/panel/battle/69062700.HTM |title= Bell Helicopter News information |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081208161654/http://www.flyarmy.org/panel/battle/69062700.HTM |archive-date= 8 December 2008 |publisher= Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's Association |access-date= 22 October 2008}}</ref> Although the Kiowa production contract had replaced the LOH contract with Hughes, the OH-58A did not automatically replace the OH-6A in operations; subsequently, the Kiowa and the Cayuse would continue operating in the same theater until the end of the conflict.

===Vietnam War===
[[File:Australian Army Bell OH-58A Kiowa.jpg|thumb|right|Australian Army OH-58A in South Vietnam, December 1971]]

On 27 March 1970, an OH-58A Kiowa (s/n 68-16785) was shot down over South Vietnam, one of the first OH-58A losses of the war. The pilot, [[Warrant Officer (United States)|Warrant Officer]] Ralph Quick Jr., was flying [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Joseph Benoski Jr. as an artillery spotter. After completing a battle damage assessment for a previous fire mission, the aircraft was damaged by .51 inch (13&nbsp;mm) machine gun fire and crashed, killing both crew members. Approximately 45 OH-58A helicopters were destroyed during the [[Vietnam War]] due to combat losses and accidents.<ref>{{cite web |last= Roush |first= Gary |url= http://www.vhpa.org/heliloss.pdf |title= Helicopter Losses During the Vietnam War |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081029002005/http://www.vhpa.org/heliloss.pdf |archive-date= 29 October 2008 |date= 29 October 2008 |publisher= VHPA.org |access-date= 4 January 2009}}</ref> One of the last combat losses in the theatre was of an OH-58A (s/n 68-16888) from [[17th Cavalry Regiment (United States)#Units|A Troop, 3-17th Cavalry]], flown by [[First Lieutenant]] Thomas Knuckey. On 27 May 1971, Lieutenant Knuckey was also flying a battle damage assessment mission when his aircraft came under machine gun fire and exploded. Knuckey and his observer, [[Sergeant]] Philip Taylor, both died in the explosion.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.armyaircrews.com/kiowa_nam.html |title= Kiowa crewmember line of duty deaths |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081231224422/http://www.armyaircrews.com/kiowa_nam.html |archive-date= 31 December 2008 |date= 31 December 2008 |publisher= armyaircrews.com |access-date= 4 January 2009}}</ref>

===Operation Prime Chance===
During early 1988, it was decided that armed OH-58D (AHIP) helicopters from the 118th Aviation Task Force would be phased in to replace the SEABAT ([[MH-6 Little Bird|AH-6/MH-6]]) teams of [[160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment|Task Force 160th]] to carry out [[Operation Prime Chance]], the escort of oil tankers during the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. On 24 February 1988, two AHIP helicopters reported to the Mobile Sea Base Wimbrown VII, and the helicopter team ("SEABAT" team after their callsign) stationed on the barge returned to the United States. For the next few months, the AHIP helicopters on the Wimbrown VII shared patrol duties with the SEABAT team on the Hercules. Coordination proved difficult, despite frequent requests from TF-160, the SEABAT team on the Hercules was not replaced by an AHIP detachment until June 1988.<ref name="160-1">{{cite web |url= http://www.nightstalkers.com/history/4.html |archive-url= https://archive.today/20020615003730/http://www.nightstalkers.com/history/4.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 June 2002 |title= Operations EARNEST WILL and PRIME CHANCE |access-date= 25 March 2007 |work= Night Stalker History}}</ref> The OH-58D helicopter crews involved in the operation received deck landing and underwater survival training from the Navy.

In November 1988, the number of OH-58D helicopters that supported Task Force 118 was reduced. However, the rotorcraft continued to operate from the Navy's Mobile Sea Base ''Hercules'', the frigate ''[[USS Underwood (FFG-36)|Underwood]]'', and the destroyer ''[[USS Conolly (DD-979)|Conolly]]''. OH-58D operations primarily entailed reconnaissance flights at night, and depending on maintenance requirements and ship scheduling, Army helicopters usually rotated from the mobile sea base and other combatant ships to a land base every seven to fourteen days. On 18 September 1989, an OH-58D crashed during night gunnery practice and sank, but with no loss of personnel. When the Mobile Sea Base Hercules was deactivated in September 1989, all but five OH-58D helicopters redeployed to the continental United States.<ref name="cmh-1">{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1989/CH6.htm |chapter= 6. Operations |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1989 |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1989/Index.htm#TOC |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |year= 1998 |first= Vincent H. |last= Demma |access-date= 25 March 2007 |id= CMH Pub 101-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214152047/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1989/Index.htm#TOC |archive-date= 14 December 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Gulf War===
During [[Operation Desert Shield]] (the build-up to [[Operation Desert Storm]]) U.S. Army OH-58Ds would exercise alongside USMC AH-1Ws and assist with targeting and laser spotting. However while this tactic worked and was effective, there is little evidence that this tactic was used, likely to a lack of OD-58Ds.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Gulf War - Air Power Survey, Volume IV - Weapons, Tactics, and Training |url=https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/27/2001329817/-1/-1/0/AFD-100927-066.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820100750/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/27/2001329817/-1/-1/0/AFD-100927-066.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=9 August 2024 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |pages=232–233}}</ref>
[[File:AH-64A Apache advanced attack and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters of the 101st Airborne Division stand ready at a forward operating base during Operation Desert Storm. - DPLA - a2c75825eac68d1eac450c8079f64ed0.jpg|thumb|right|AH-64A Apache attack and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters of the 101st Airborne Division at a forward operating base during Operation Desert Storm]]

During Operation Desert Storm, 130 deployed OH-58D helicopters worked alongside the other Army attack helicopters, 145 [[Bell AH-1 Cobra|AH-1 Cobras]] and 277 [[Boeing AH-64 Apache|AH-64 Apaches]],<ref name=":1" /> and participated in a wide variety of critical combat ground forces mission. During [[Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Operation Desert Storm]], the Kiowas collectively flew nearly 9,000 hours with a 92 percent fully mission capable rate. The Kiowa Warrior had the lowest ratio of maintenance hours to flight hours of any combat helicopter in the war.<ref>{{cite web |title= The End of an Era: OH-58 Kiowa |url= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/204642/end-era-oh-58-kiowa |website= dvidshub.net}}</ref>

Army attack helicopters also worked [[Combined arms|jointly with]] close air support and support aircraft such as the USAF [[A-10A]]s, [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16A/Cs]], [[General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven|EF-111As]], [[Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call|EC-130H Compass Call]], [[F-4G Phantom II]] "[[Wild Weasel]]", and [[Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS|E-8 Joint STARS]].<ref name=":1" />

===RAID===
In 1989, Congress mandated that the [[Army National Guard]] would take part in the country's "[[war on drugs]]", enabling them to aid federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with "special congressional entitlements". In response, the Army [[National Guard Bureau]] created the Reconnaissance and Aerial Interdiction Detachments (RAID) in 1992, consisting of aviation units in 31 states with 76 specially modified OH-58A helicopters to assume the reconnaissance/interdiction role in the fight against illegal drugs. During 1994, 24 states conducted more than 1,200 aerial counterdrug reconnaissance and interdiction missions, conducting many of these missions at night.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1994/ch05.htm |chapter= 5. Reserve Forces |url= http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1994/index.htm#contents |first= L. Martin |last= Kaplan |year= 2000 |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1994 |publisher= [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |id= CMH Pub 101-25 |access-date= 30 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100921172454/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1994/index.htm#contents |archive-date= 21 September 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Eventually, the program was expanded to cover 32 states and consisting of 116 aircraft, including dedicated training aircraft at the Western Army Aviation Training Site (WAATS) in [[Marana, Arizona]].<ref name="raid-rw">{{cite web |url= http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/rw/show_mag.cgi?pub%3Drw%26mon%3D1102%26file%3D1102home.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040228180331/http://aviationtoday.com/cgi/rw/show_mag.cgi?pub=rw&mon=1102&file=1102home.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 28 February 2004 |title= Homeland Defense: Fighting Homeland Wars |first= Doug |last= Nelms |date= 1 November 2002 |publisher= Rotor & Wing via aviationtoday.com |access-date= 2 October 2016}}</ref>

The RAID program's mission has now been expanded to include the war against terrorism and supporting [[U.S. Border Patrol]] activities in support of homeland defense. The National Guard RAID units' Area of Operation (AO) is the only one in the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] that is wholly contained within the borders of the [[United States]].<ref name="raid-rw"/>

===Operation Just Cause and action in the 1990s===
During [[United States invasion of Panama|Operation Just Cause]] in 1989, a team consisting of an OH-58 and an AH-1 were part of the Aviation Task Force during the securing of [[Fort Amador]] in [[Panama]]. The OH-58 was fired upon by [[Military of Panama|Panama Defense Force]] soldiers and crashed {{convert|100|yd|m|sigfig=1}} away, in the [[Bay of Panama]]. The pilot was rescued, but the co-pilot was killed in action.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Just%20Cause/JustCause.htm |title= Operation Just Cause: The Incursion into Panama |publisher= United States Army Center of Military History |access-date= 1 September 2006 |id= CMH Pub No. 70-85-1 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071213124514/http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Just%20Cause/JustCause.htm |archive-date= 13 December 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

On 17 December 1994, Army [[Warrant Officer (United States)#Army|Chief Warrant Officer]]s (CWO) David Hilemon and Bobby Hall left Camp Page, [[South Korea]] on a routine training mission along the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|Demilitarized Zone]] (DMZ). Their flight was intended to be to a point known as Checkpoint 84, south of the DMZ "no-fly zone", but the OH-58C Kiowa strayed nearly {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in|sigfig=1}} into the Kangwon Province, inside [[North Korea]]n airspace, due to errors in navigating the snow-covered, rugged terrain. The helicopter was shot down by North Korean troops and CWO Hilemon was killed. CWO Hall was held captive and the North Korean government insisted that the crew had been spying. Five days of negotiations resulted in the North Koreans turning over Hilemon's body to U.S. authorities. The negotiations failed to secure Hall's immediate release. After 13 days in captivity, Hall was freed on 30 December, uninjured.<ref>{{cite web |author= Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). |url= http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=317 |title= OH-58C Helicopter Down in North Korea |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070515041754/http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=317 |archive-date= 15 May 2007 |publisher= United States Department of Defense |date= 19 December 1994 |access-date= 30 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Miles |first= Donna |url= http://www.army.mil/soldiers/feb95/p4.html |title= Drama Along the DMZ |publisher= Soldiers |date= 4–5 February 1995 |access-date= 3 November 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060207143301/http://www.army.mil/soldiers/feb95/p4.html |archive-date= 7 February 2006}}</ref>

=== Afghanistan and Iraq ===
[[File:U.S Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter at Kandahar Airfield MOD 45162023.jpg|thumb|left|OH-58D at [[Kandahar International Airport#21st century|Kandahar]], 2011]]
[[File:OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters are covered in snow at Bagram Airfield in Parwan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 3, 2013 130203-A-IA071-001.jpg|thumb|Group of Kiowa Warriors covered by snow at [[Bagram Air Base]], 2013]]

The U.S. Army employed the OH-58D during [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in [[Iraq]] and [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in [[Afghanistan]].<ref name="army-technology.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.army-technology.com/projects/kiowa/ |title= OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Reconnaissance / Attack Helicopter, USA |date= 27 November 2007 |publisher= SPG Media Limited |access-date= 4 August 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080704130109/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/kiowa/ |archive-date= 4 July 2008 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1= Sayah |first1= Reza |first2= Barbara |last2= Starr |first3= Jamie |last3= McIntyre |url= http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/25/pakistan.helicopters/index.html |title= U.S., Pakistan exchange shots at volatile border |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090122054232/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/25/pakistan.helicopters/index.html |archive-date= 22 January 2009 |publisher= CNN.com |date= 25 September 2008 |access-date= 15 January 2009}}</ref> Between a combination of combat and accidents, over 35 airframes have been lost, resulting in the deaths of 35 pilots.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Hastings |first= Michael |title= America's New Cavalry |journal= [[Men's Journal]] |date= September 2010 |page= 128}}</ref> Their presence was also anecdotally credited with saving lives, having been used to rescue wounded despite their small size.<ref>{{cite web |last= Thackary |first= Lorna |url= http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/injured-red-lodge-soldier-recounts-blast-dramatic-rescue-in-afghanistan/article_0f02b1da-4a8c-11df-a274-001cc4c03286.html |title= Injured Red Lodge soldier recounts blast, dramatic rescue in Afghanistan |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130608043416/http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/injured-red-lodge-soldier-recounts-blast-dramatic-rescue-in-afghanistan/article_0f02b1da-4a8c-11df-a274-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date= 8 June 2013 |publisher= BillingsGazette.com |date= 18 April 2010 |access-date= 31 May 2013}}</ref> In Iraq, OH-58Ds reportedly flew 72 hours per month, while in Afghanistan, the type flew 80 hours per month.<ref name="hours">{{cite web |url= http://strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20130514.aspx |title= Another Old Warrior Too Good To Replace |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130516110308/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20130514.aspx |archive-date= 16 May 2013 |publisher= Strategypage.com |date= 14 May 2013}}</ref> During April 2013, Bell stated that the OH-58 collectively accumulated 820,000 combat hours, and had achieved a 90% mission capable rate.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://investor.textron.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=110047&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1806238 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20131208220820/http://investor.textron.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=110047&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1806238 |archive-date= 8 December 2013 |title= Bell Helicopter Provides OH-58 Kiowa Warrior Program Update |publisher= Bell/Textron |date= 12 April 2013 |access-date= 8 December 2013}}</ref>

===Retirement===
The U.S. Army's first attempt to replace the OH-58 was the [[RAH-66 Comanche]] of the [[Light Helicopter Experimental]] program, which was canceled in 2004. Airframe age and losses led to the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program and the [[Bell ARH-70]], which was canceled in 2008 due to cost overruns. The third replacement effort was the [[Armed Aerial Scout]] program.<ref name="aas forward">{{cite web |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-army-helicopter-idUSBRE8B002T20121201?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563 |title= U.S. Army officials said to back new scout helicopter |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172340/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/01/us-army-helicopter-idUSBRE8B002T20121201?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563 |archive-date= 24 September 2015 |publisher= Reuters.com |date= 30 November 2012}}</ref> Due to uncertainty in the AAS program and fiscal restraints, the OH-58F's planned retirement was extended from 2025 to 2036.<ref name=AW_slep>{{cite web |url= http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_05_10_2013_p0-577834.xml&p=1 |title= U.S. Army Confirms AAS Will Be New Start Or OH-58 SLEP |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061621/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2Fawx_05_10_2013_p0-577834.xml&p=1 |archive-date= 23 October 2013 |publisher= Aviationweek.com |date= 10 May 2013}}</ref> The Kiowa's scout role was supplemented by tactical [[unmanned aerial vehicles]], the two platforms often acting in conjunction to provide reconnaissance to expose crews to less risk. The OH-58F had the ability to control UAVs directly to safely perform scout missions.<ref name="hours"/> In 2011, the Kiowa was scheduled to be replaced by the light version of the [[Future Vertical Lift]] aircraft in the 2030s.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/superfast-helicopters/ |title= Superfast Helicopters |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130331104148/http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/superfast-helicopters/ |archive-date= 31 March 2013 |publisher= Defensemedianetwork.com |date= 25 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:OH-58D Final Farewell Flight 160415-A-UG106-017.jpg|thumb|After 40 years of service, the final flight of the OH-58D of the 82nd Airborne Division in 2016 at Fort Bragg, on the flight line]]
[[File:OH-58D Final Farewell Flight 160415-A-UG106-043.jpg|thumb|The OH-58D's farewell flight]]
In December 2013, the U.S. Army had 338 Kiowas in its active-duty force and 30 in the [[Army National Guard]]. The Army considered retiring the Kiowa as part of a wider restructuring to cut costs and reduce the variety of helicopters operated. The [[Analysis of Alternatives]] for the AAS program found that operating the Kiowa alongside [[RQ-7 Shadow]] UAVs was the most affordable and capable solution, while the [[AH-64 Apache|AH-64E Apache Guardian]] was the most capable immediate solution. One proposal was to transfer all Army National Guard and [[United States Army Reserve|Army Reserve]] AH-64s to the active Army for use as scouts to divest the OH-58. The Apache costs 50 percent more than the Kiowa to operate and maintain; studies note that had it been used in place of the Kiowa in Iraq and Afghanistan, total operating costs would have risen by $4 billion, but also saved $1 billion per year in operating and sustainment costs. [[UH-60 Black Hawk]]s would transfer from the active Army to reserve and Guard units. The aim was to retire older helicopters and retain those with the best capabilities to save money.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20131209/NEWS04/312090006/ |title= Army Plans To Scrap Kiowa Helo Fleet |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131214181334/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20131209/NEWS04/312090006/ |archive-date= 14 December 2013 |publisher= MarineCorpstimes.com |date= 9 December 2013}}</ref> Retiring the Kiowa would fund Apache upgrades.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/118247/Army_aviation_flying_smarter_into_fiscal_squeeze/ |title= Army aviation flying smarter into fiscal squeeze |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140124212952/http://www.army.mil/article/118247/Army_aviation_flying_smarter_into_fiscal_squeeze/ |archive-date= 24 January 2014 |publisher= Army.mil |url-status= live |date= 14 January 2014}}</ref>

The Army placed 26 out of 335 OH-58Ds in non-flyable storage during 2014. In anticipation of divestment, the Army looked to see if other military branches, government agencies, and foreign customers had interest in buying the type. The Kiowas were considered to be well priced for foreign countries with limited resources; Bell had not yet agreed to support them if sold overseas.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-begins-grounding-kiowas-seeks-buyers-399003/ |title= US Army begins grounding Kiowas, seeks buyers |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140508061435/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-begins-grounding-kiowas-seeks-buyers-399003/ |archive-date= 8 May 2014 |publisher= Flightglobal.com |date= 7 May 2014}}</ref> Media expected OH-58s to go to foreign militaries rather than civil operators due to high operating cost.<ref name=pat>{{cite news |first= Pat |last= Host |url= http://accessintelligence.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vrw15/i452/p38 |title= Army's aviation restructuring not to affect civil helicopter market |pages= 38–42 |work= Rotor & Wing |date= April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150412231232/http://accessintelligence.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vrw15/i452/p38 |archive-date= 12 April 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref> By 2015, the Army had divested 33 OH-58Ds.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/downsized-us-army-to-pass-on-533-shunned-oh-58-th-67-414435/ |title= Downsized US Army to pass on 533 shunned OH-58, TH-67 helicopters |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150717124813/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/downsized-us-army-to-pass-on-533-shunned-oh-58-th-67-414435/ |archive-date= 17 July 2015}}</ref> By January 2016, the Army had divested all but two OH-58D squadrons.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-forging-ahead-with-oh-58d-and-th-67-retireme-420836/ |title= US Army forging ahead with OH-58D and TH-67 retirements |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160215093312/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-forging-ahead-with-oh-58d-and-th-67-retireme-420836/ |archive-date= 15 February 2016 |publisher= Flightglobal.com |date= 14 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="60 Kiowa">{{cite news |last1= Brooks |first1= Drew |title= Army's Kiowa helicopters to fly in last formation |url= http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/army-s-kiowa-helicopters-to-fly-in-last-formation/article_025c791e-9611-5ddb-9050-e8d028975401.html |access-date= 2 June 2016 |work= The Fayetteville Observer |date= 12 April 2016 |quote= Nearly three years after defense officials first proposed eliminating the small aircraft from the Army's aviation, all but two squadrons – each flying 30 helicopters – have bid adieu to the Kiowa}}</ref> In June 2016, members of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, [[82nd Aviation Regiment (United States)|82nd Combat Aviation Brigade]], arrived in South Korea as part of the Kiowa's last deployment in U.S. Army service;<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/06/26/final-deployment-underway-armys-kiowa-helicopters/86347834/ |title= Final deployment is underway for Army's Kiowa helicopters |publisher= Armytimes.com |date= 26 June 2016}}</ref> during the following year, the unit reequipped with AH-64s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sisk |first=Richard |date=2017-10-31 |title=Army's Last Kiowa Scout Helicopter Squadron Switching to Apaches |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/09/19/armys-last-kiowa-scout-helicopter-squadron-switching-to-apaches.html |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Military.com |language=en}}</ref> In January 2017, the last Kiowa Warrior performed their last live fire maneuver before retirement.<ref name="retired">{{cite news |title= Kiowa Warriors pass torch to Apache attack helicopters in South Korea |url= https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/kiowa-warriors-pass-torch-to-apache-attack-helicopters-in-south-korea-1.450886#.WRZUIuXyvic |access-date= 13 May 2017 |work= Stars and Stripes |date= 26 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170525180404/https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/kiowa-warriors-pass-torch-to-apache-attack-helicopters-in-south-korea-1.450886#.WRZUIuXyvic |archive-date= 25 May 2017 |url-status= live}}</ref>

Ex-U.S. Army OH-58Ds were made available through Excess Defense Article and [[foreign military sales]] (FMS) programs. In November 2014, Croatia sent a letter of intent for the acquisition of 16 OH-58Ds.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.jutarnji.hr/jutarnji-doznaje--ministar-kotromanovic-pisao-pentagonu-hrvatska-trazi-od-sad-a-16-borbenih-letjelica-/1236155/ |title= KOTROMANOVIĆ PISAO PENTAGONU Hrvatska traži od SAD-a 16 borbenih letjelica |work= jutarnji.hr |access-date= 2 October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223237/http://www.jutarnji.hr/jutarnji-doznaje--ministar-kotromanovic-pisao-pentagonu-hrvatska-trazi-od-sad-a-16-borbenih-letjelica-/1236155/ |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |url-status= live}}</ref> In 2016, Croatia and Tunisia became the first nations to request the helicopters, ordering 16 and 24, respectively.<ref name=FMS_sales>{{cite web |url= http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-06-06/croatia-tunisia-first-receive-us-kiowa-warriors |title= Croatia, Tunisia First To Receive U.S. Kiowa Warriors |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610115711/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-06-06/croatia-tunisia-first-receive-us-kiowa-warriors |archive-date= 10 June 2016 |publisher= Ainonline.com |date= 6 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/tunisia-oh-58d-kiowa-warrior-aircraft-equipment-and-support |title= Tunisia-OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Aircraft Equipment and Support |publisher= dsca.mil |date= 3 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160617223348/http://dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/tunisia-oh-58d-kiowa-warrior-aircraft-equipment-and-support |archive-date= 17 June 2016 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Croatia received the first batch of 5 OH-58Ds at the [[Zadar Airport|Zadar-Zemunik air base]] on 30 June 2016.<ref name="CroatiaFirstDeliveryFlightGlobal">{{cite web |last1= Salinger |first1= Igor |title= First ex-US Army OH-58Ds delivered to Croatia |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-ex-us-army-oh-58ds-delivered-to-croatia-428121/ |website= FlightGlobal |date= 2 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160802232121/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-ex-us-army-oh-58ds-delivered-to-croatia-428121/ |archive-date= 2 August 2016 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="CroatiaFirstDeliveryIHS">{{cite web |last1= Tabak |first1= Igor |title= Croatia receives first OH-58 Kiowa helicopters|url= http://www.janes.com/article/62690/croatia-receives-first-oh-58-kiowa-helicopters |website= IHS Jane's 360 |date= 2 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160802205845/http://www.janes.com/article/62690/croatia-receives-first-oh-58-kiowa-helicopters |archive-date= 2 August 2016 |url-status= live}}</ref> In early 2018, Greece was granted 70 OH-58Ds via an FMS arrangement, the type has been initially stationed at Hellenic Army Aviation air base at [[Stefanovikio]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.businessinsider.com/army-workhorse-oh-58-kiowa-helicopter-flying-again-for-greece-2019-12?r=US&IR=T |title= After nearly 50 years as the Army's workhorse, the venerable Kiowa helicopter is taking flight again for Greece |publisher= businessinsider.com |first= Richard |last= Bumgardner |date= 13 December 2019}}</ref>

In March 2020, the U.S. Army selected the [[Bell 360 Invictus]] and [[Sikorsky Raider X]] as part of the [[Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft]] (FARA) program to fill the capability gap left by the retirement of the OH-58.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-03-25/bell-sikorsky-move-next-round-armys-fara-derby |title= Bell, Sikorsky Move On To Next Round of Army's FARA Derby |publisher= Aviation International News |date= 25 March 2020 |archive-date= 27 March 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200327025227/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-03-25/bell-sikorsky-move-next-round-armys-fara-derby |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.defensenews.com/smr/army-modernization/2020/03/25/lockheed-and-bell-will-compete-head-to-head-to-build-us-armys-future-attack-recon-aircraft/ |title= Lockheed and Bell will compete head-to-head to build US Army's future attack recon aircraft |publisher= Defense News |date= 26 March 2020}}</ref> On 29 September 2020, the US Army retired its last OH-58Cs from active service at Fort Irwin.<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IJPpoyd9iQ> In February 2024, FARA was cancelled; by this point, there were three abandoned attempts to replace the OH-58 at a cost in excess of $9 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=2024-02-09 |title=Army cancels armed scout helicopter program yet again |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-armed-scout-helicopter/ |website=Task & Purpose |language=en-US}}</ref> The armed scout role has been filled by the AH-64 and the unarmed [[AAI RQ-7 Shadow|RQ-7 Shadow]] UAV;<ref name=forcastint/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Judson |first=Jen |date=2024-02-08 |title=US Army spent billions on a new helicopter that now will never fly |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/02/08/us-army-spent-billions-on-a-new-helicopter-that-now-will-never-fly/ |website=Defense News |language=en}}</ref> this combination reportedly accomplished 80% of the scouting mission, while also providing greater firepower, durability, and speed.<ref name="ndm14jan14" /><ref name=":0" />

==Variants==
===OH-58A===
[[File:Oh58-004.jpg|thumb|right|An OH-58 Kiowa]]

The ''OH-58A Kiowa'' is a four-place observation helicopter. It has two-place pilot seating, although the controls in the left seat are designed to be removed to carry a passenger up front. During its development for Vietnam War, it was fitted with the [[Minigun|M134 Minigun]], a {{Convert|7.62|mm|in}} electrically operated machine gun.

The [[Australian Army]] leased eight OH-58As in 1971 in South Vietnam for eight months.<ref name="161rf">{{cite web |title= History of Bell OH58-A Kiowa Helicopter |url= http://www.161recceflt.org.au/UnitAircraft/Kiowa/history_of_bell_oh58.htm |website= 161 Possums formerly 161 Recce Association |access-date= 8 August 2016 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20010302151730/http://www.161recceflt.org.au/UnitAircraft/Kiowa/history_of_bell_oh58.htm |archive-date= 2 March 2001}}</ref><ref name="ADF">{{cite web |title= Army A17 & RAN N17 Bell 206B-1/OH-58A & CAC CA-32 Kiowa |url= http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a17.htm |website= Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History |access-date= 8 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160819231724/http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a17.htm |archive-date= 19 August 2016 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The Australian government procured the OH-58A for the Australian Army and [[Royal Australian Navy]] as the ''CAC CA-32''.<ref name="ADF" /><ref name="RAAF" /> Licensed produced in Australia by [[Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation]], the CA-32 was the equivalent of the 206B-1 (uprated engine and longer rotor blades). The first twelve of 56 were built in the U.S. then partially disassembled and shipped to Australia, where they were reassembled.<ref name="161rf" />

The first OH-58As in Australia were given the name ''Kalkadoon'' rather than ''Kiowa'', at the suggestion of army minister [[Bob Katter Sr.]] who wished to honor the [[Kalkadoon people]] of Queensland rather than a Native American people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/266995372|title=Tribal names take off|date=7 September 1972|newspaper=Australian Army}}</ref> The new helicopters were affixed with "[[boomerang]]-shaped decals bearing the name Kalkadoon".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/266995216|title=On the move|newspaper=Australian Army|date=19 October 1972}}</ref> The renaming was apparently poorly received by the Army and was dropped after Katter's term as minister concluded; the helicopters had reportedly been nicknamed "Kattercopters" by army personnel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110624997|title=Army drops a name|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=12 December 1972}}</ref> Helicopters in the naval fleet were retired in 2000.<ref name="161rf" />

A total of 74 OH-58As were delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces as ''COH-58A'' and later redesignated ''CH-136 Kiowa''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/equip/historical/kiowalst_e.asp |title= Bell CH-136 Kiowa |date= 15 April 2004 |publisher= Air Force Public Affairs, Department of National Defence |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040505052337/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/equip/historical/kiowalst_e.asp |archive-date= 5 May 2004}}</ref> As many as 12 surplus Kiowas were sold to the Dominican Republic Air Force, and others sold privately in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/771/ |title= CH-136 Kiowa in Canadian Armed Forces |work= helis.com |access-date= 11 December 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220121922/http://www.helis.com/database/modelorg/771/ |archive-date= 20 December 2016 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

In 1978, OH-58As began to be converted to the same engine and dynamic components as the OH-58C.<ref name="cmh-1978">{{cite web |url= http://www.army.mil/CMH/books/DAHSUM/1978/ch10.htm |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1978 |publisher= United States Army Center of Military History |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040908141656/http://www.army.mil/cmh/books/DAHSUM/1978/ch10.htm |archive-date= 8 September 2004}}</ref> In 1992, 76 OH-58A were modified with another engine upgrade, a [[thermal imaging]] system, a communications package for law enforcement, enhanced navigational equipment and high skid gear as part of the Army National Guard's (ARNG) Counter-Drug RAID program. The U.S. Army retired its last OH-58A in November 2017.<ref name="theredstonerocket.com">{{Cite web |url= https://www.theredstonerocket.com/military_scene/article_2c96db4c-befe-11e7-8d65-6bca558698bd.html |title= Last Kiowa Warrior retires into law enforcement |first= Kari |last= Hawkins |publisher= AWKINS Aviation and Missile Command Public Affairs |website= The Redstone Rocket |date= November 2017 |access-date= 2 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190702140010/https://www.theredstonerocket.com/military_scene/article_2c96db4c-befe-11e7-8d65-6bca558698bd.html |archive-date= 2 July 2019 |url-status= live}}</ref>

===OH-58B===
[[File:OH-58B Austria (25026599986).jpg|thumb|An OH-58B of the Austrian Air Combat Force]]
The ''OH-58B'' was an export version for the [[Austrian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/oh-58b.htm |title= OH-58B Kiowa |publisher= GlobalSecurity.org |access-date= 26 September 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061002003154/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/oh-58b.htm |archive-date= 2 October 2006 |url-status= live}}</ref> Austria plans to replace the OH-58B by the end of 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Leonardo AW-169: Österreich kauft weitere 18 Hubschrauber in Italien |url=https://www.kleinezeitung.at/oesterreich/6221579/Leonardo-AW169_Oesterreich-kauft-weitere-18-Hubschrauber-in-Italien |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=www.kleinezeitung.at |language=de}}</ref>

===OH-58C===
[[File:Ntsp-oh58-N170FR-070205-01cr.jpg|thumb|left|OH-58C of the [[National Test Pilot School]]. Note the flat windscreen and IR exhaust suppressors.]]

Equipped with a more robust engine, the ''OH-58C'' was supposed to solve issues regarding the Kiowa's power. In addition to the improved engine, it had unique IR suppression systems mounted on its exhaust. Early OH-58Cs had flat-panel windscreens as an attempt to reduce glint from the sun, which could reveal its location to enemies. The windscreens had a negative effect of limiting the crew's forward view, a previous strength of the original design.

The aircraft was also equipped with a larger instrument panel, roughly one–third bigger than the OH-58A panel, which held larger flight instruments. The panel was also equipped with [[Night vision device|Night Vision Goggle]] (NVG) compatible cockpit lighting.<ref name="58C cockpit">{{cite web |url= http://www.flightresearch.com/html/aircraft/oh58.shtml |title= Bell OH-58C Kiowa |publisher= Flight Research, Inc. |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060522201749/http://www.flightresearch.com/html/aircraft/oh58.shtml |archive-date= 22 May 2006}}</ref> The OH-58C were also the first U.S. Army scout helicopter to be equipped with the AN/APR-39 radar detector, which alerted the crew to active anti-aircraft radar systems nearby.<ref name="cmh-1977">{{cite web |url= http://www.army.mil/CMH/books/DAHSUM/1977/ch10.htm |title= Department of the Army Historical Summary, 1977 |publisher= United States Army Center of Military History |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040901065955/http://www.army.mil/cmh/books/DAHSUM/1977/ch10.htm |archive-date= 1 September 2004}}</ref> Some OH-58Cs were armed with two [[AIM-92 Stinger]]s and are sometimes referred to as OH-58C/S, the "S" referring to the Stinger addition.<ref name="amcom-storm">{{cite web |url= http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/netstorm/chapter3.html |title= Team Redstone's Role in Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM |publisher= Redstone Arsenal |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/19970429103523/http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/netstorm/chapter3.html |archive-date= 29 April 1997}}</ref> Called Air-To-Air Stinger (ATAS), the weapon system was intended to provide an air defense capability.

The OH-58C was the final Kiowa variant still in service with the U.S. Army, with it used as a training aircraft.<ref name="theredstonerocket.com"/> On 29 September 2020, the US Army retired the last OH-58Cs from service. The final flight of the US Army OH-58C, tail number 69-16165 occurred at Fort Irwin, California on 29 September 2020.<ref>{{cite web | title=OH-58 "Kiowa" Aircraft Farewell & Retirement Ceremony | website=[[YouTube]] | date=30 September 2020 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IJPpoyd9iQ }}</ref>

===OH-58D===
[[File:OH-58D of the 25th CAB landing on USS Lake Erie (CG-70) off Hawaii in 2013.JPG|thumb|OH-58D of 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, landing on {{USS|Lake Erie|CG-70|6}}]]

The ''OH-58D'' (Bell Model 406) was the result of the Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP). An upgraded transmission and engine gave extra power, needed for [[nap-of-the-earth]] flight profiles, and a four-bladed main rotor made it quieter than the two-bladed OH-58C. The OH-58D introduced the distinctive Mast-Mounted Sight (MMS) above the main rotor, and a mixed glass cockpit with traditional instruments as "standby" for emergencies.

The ''Bell 406CS'' "Combat Scout" was based on the OH-58D (sometimes referred to as the ''MH-58D''). Fifteen aircraft<ref name="1000photos-1"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.airwar.ru/enc/ah/mh58.html |title= MH-58D Combat Scout |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20001204085200/http://airwar.ru/enc/ah/mh58.html |archive-date= 4 December 2000}}</ref> were sold to Saudi Arabia.<ref name="saudi1">{{cite web |url= http://www.scramble.nl/mil/4/saudiarabia/main.htm |title= Royal Saudi Air Arms |work= Scramble |publisher= Dutch Air Society |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120907235559/http://www.scramble.nl/mil/4/saudiarabia/main.htm |archive-date= 7 September 2012}}</ref> A roof-mounted Saab HeliTOW sight system was opted for in place of the MMS.<ref>"Bell Model 406 CS Combat Scout". ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1992–1993''. Jane's Information Group, 1992. [http://search.janes.com/Search/documentView.do?docId=/content1/janesdata/yb/jawa/del00521.htm@current&pageSelected=allJanes&keyword=Bell%20406%20CS&backPath=http://search.janes.com/Search&Prod_Name=JAWA& subscription article, dated 15 July 1992]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}.</ref> The 406CS also had detachable weapon hardpoints on each side.

[[File:OH-58DKW takes off in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|left|OH-58D in Afghanistan, 2011]]
The ''AH-58D'' was an OH-58D version operated by [[17th Cavalry Regiment#Unit history|Task Force 118]] (4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry) and modified with armament in support of [[Operation Prime Chance]]. The weapons and fire control systems would become the basis for the Kiowa Warrior. AH-58D is not an official DOD aircraft designation, but is used by the Army in reference to these aircraft.<ref>[http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/ah-58d.htm OH-58 series Kiowa Photo Gallery] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916230645/http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/ah-58d.htm |date=16 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.history.army.mil/CHRONOS/16jan91.htm |title= XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS CHRONOLOGY (16- 31 January 1991) |work= army.mil |access-date= 23 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180609/http://www.history.army.mil/CHRONOS/16jan91.htm |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.history.army.mil/photos/gulf_war/ods.htm |title= Gulf War Photo Sampler – XVIII Airborne Corps History Office Photographs – Center of Military History |author= U.S. Army Center of Military History |work= army.mil |access-date= 23 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151124171855/http://www.history.army.mil/photos/gulf_war/ods.htm |archive-date= 24 November 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

The ''Kiowa Warrior'', sometimes referred to by its acronym ''KW'', is the armed version of the OH-58D. A key difference between the Kiowa Warrior and original AHIP aircraft is a universal weapons pylon found mounted on both sides of the fuselage, capable of carrying combinations of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, air-to-air Stinger (ATAS) missiles, 7-shot {{convert|2.75|in|mm}} Hydra-70 rocket pods,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/hydra-70.htm |title= Hydra-70 Rocket System |publisher= Federation of American Scientists |access-date= 27 February 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070204162152/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/hydra-70.htm |archive-date= 4 February 2007 |url-status= live}}</ref> and an [[M2 Browning machine gun|M296]] 0.50 in (12.7&nbsp;mm) caliber machine gun. The performance standard of [[aerial gunnery]] from an OH-58D is to achieve at least one hit out of 70 shots fired at a wheeled vehicle {{convert|800|to|1200|m|ft|abbr=on}} away.<ref name=heligun1>[http://www.dodsbir.net/sitis/display_topic.asp?Bookmark=42650 "ASP Motion Base for Stabilized Mounts"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708201653/http://www.dodsbir.net/sitis/display_topic.asp?Bookmark=42650|date=8 July 2013}} ''[[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] [[Small Business Innovation Research]]''. Retrieved: June 2012.</ref><ref name=heligun2>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/1-140/AB.HTM "Helicopter gunnery tables"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601144705/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/1-140/AB.HTM |date=1 June 2012}} ''GlobalSecurity.org''. Retrieved: June 2012.</ref> The Kiowa Warrior also includes improvements in available power, navigation, communication, survivability, and deployability.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/oh-58.htm |title= OH-58D Kiowa Warrior |publisher= Federation of American Scientists |access-date= 4 October 2006 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000125160557/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/oh-58.htm |archive-date= 25 January 2000}}</ref>

===OH-58E===
The OH-58E was one of 13 design candidates in the ''Advanced Scout Helicopter'' of 1980. The study's conclusion was to launch the ''Army Helicopter Improvement Program'' (AHIP) in 1981 centered on the OH-58D instead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OH-58E |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/oh-58e.htm |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

===OH-58F===
The ''OH-58F'' is an OH-58D upgrade. The Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) adds a nose-mounted targeting and surveillance system alongside the MMS. The AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload has an infrared camera, color Electro-Optical camera, and image intensifier; via weight and drag reductions, flight performance increased by 1–2%.<ref name="vertiflite">{{cite journal |title= Stretching the Scout |last= Colucci |first= Frank |journal= Vertiflite |date= May–June 2013 |volume= 59 |issue= 3 |pages= 42–45}}</ref> Cockpit upgrades include the Control and Display Subsystem version 5, more storage and processing power, three color multi-function displays, and dual-independent advanced moving maps. It has Level 2 Manned-Unmanned (L2MUM) teaming, the [[Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below|Force Battle Command Brigade and Below]] (FBCB2) display screen, and can be updated to [[Blue Force Tracking|Blue Force Tracker 2]]. Survivability enhancements include ballistic floor armor and the Common Missile Warning System. It has greater situational awareness, digital inter-cockpit communications, HELLFIRE future upgrades, redesigned wiring harness, Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS), and enhanced weapons functionality via 1760 digital interface. The OH-58F is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C30R3 engine rated at {{convert|650|shp|kW|abbr=on}};<ref>{{Cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/oh58f.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502131608/http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/oh58f.htm |title=OH-58F Kiowa Warrior -Reconnaissance helicopter |archive-date=2 May 2019 |access-date=2 May 2019 }}</ref> it has a dual-channel, full-authority digital engine-controller that operates at required power levels in all environments.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/53295/army-building-new-f-model-kiowa-warrior/?ref=news-home-title3 |title= Army building new F model Kiowa Warrior |publisher= army.mil |first= Kris |last= Osborn |date= 15 March 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2011/05/18/ OH-58F] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817061726/http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2011/05/18/ |date=17 August 2011}} Army.mil/Stand-To, 18 May 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bellhelicopter.com/MungoBlobs/93/11/EN_OH-58F_FactSheet.pdf |title= The Bell OH-58F: Your Mission |date= 2011 |publisher= Bell Helicopter |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111101084334/http://bellhelicopter.com/MungoBlobs/93/11/EN_OH-58F_FactSheet.pdf |archive-date= 1 November 2011}}</ref> [[Rolls-Royce North America|Rolls-Royce]] proposed engine tweaks to raise output by 12%.<ref>{{cite web |last= Trimble |first= Stephen |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/26/348929/us-army-announces-new-fox-model-for-kiowa-warrior.html |title= US Army announces new Fox model for Kiowa Warrior |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101031215051/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/26/348929/us-army-announces-new-fox-model-for-kiowa-warrior.html |publisher= Flight International |date= 26 October 2010 |archive-date= 31 October 2010}}</ref>

[[File:OH-58F.jpg|thumb|OH-58F test aircraft in flight]]
In October 2012, the first OH-58F was finished. Unlike most military projects, the Army designed and built the new variant itself, which lowered development costs. It weighed {{convert|3590|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, {{convert|53|lb|kg|abbr=on}} below the target weight and about {{convert|200|lb|kg|abbr=on}} lighter than the OH-58D. The weight savings are attributed to more efficient wiring and a lighter sensor. The first production aircraft began manufacturing in January 2013 and was handed over to the Army by year end. Low rate production was to start in March 2015, with the first operational squadron being fully equipped by 2016. The Army was to buy 368 OH-58Fs, with older OH-58 variants to be remanufactured.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ausa-us-army-completes-first-oh-58f-test-aircraft-378059/ |title= US Army completes first OH-58F test aircraft |publisher= Flightglobal.com |date= 25 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121031141046/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ausa-us-army-completes-first-oh-58f-test-aircraft-378059/ |archive-date= 31 October 2012}}</ref> Due to battle damage and combat attrition, total OH-58F numbers would be about 321 aircraft.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130415093523/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2013/April/Pages/GivenBudgetUncertainty,ArmedAerialScoutHoveringinLimbo.aspx Given Budget Uncertainty, Armed Aerial Scout Hovering in Limbo]}} – Nationaldefensemagazine.com, April 2013</ref> The OH-58F's first flight occurred on 26 April 2013.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-oh-58f-makes-first-flight-385319/ US Army OH-58F makes first flight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728175121/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-oh-58f-makes-first-flight-385319/ |date=28 July 2013}} – Flightglobal.com, 30 April 2013</ref>

The Army chose to retire the Kiowa and end the CASUP upgrades. CASUP and SLEP upgrades were estimated to cost $3 billion and $7 billion respectively. The OH-58D could do 20 percent of armed aerial scout mission requirements, the OH-58F upgrade raised that to 50 percent. Replacing the Kiowa with Apaches and UAVs in scout roles met 80 percent of requirements.<ref name="ndm14jan14">{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20140119180058/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/lists/posts/post.aspx?ID=1374 Army Debates Divestment of Kiowa Warrior; Replacement Program in Doubt]}} – Nationaldefensemagazine.com, 14 January 2014</ref> In early 2014, Bell received a stop-work order for the Kiowa CASUP program.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bell-receives-stop-work-order-for-kiowa-upgrades-398890/ Bell receives stop work order for Kiowa upgrades] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506200309/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bell-receives-stop-work-order-for-kiowa-upgrades-398890/ |date=6 May 2014}} Flightglobal.com, 5 May 2014</ref>

===OH-58F Block II===
[[File:OH-58X.jpg|thumb|right|OH-58X, a modified OH-58D prototype. Note nose, pitch link cover and engine cowl area.]]

On 14 April 2011, Bell performed the successful first flight of the OH-58F Block II variant. It was Bell's entry in the [[Armed Aerial Scout]] (AAS) program.<ref>[http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,229853,00.html Bell Flies OH-58 Block II Candidate for AAS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208145108/http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,229853,00.html |date=8 December 2012}} Military.com, 19 April 2011</ref> It built on the improvements of the F-model, adding features such as the [[Honeywell HTS900]] turboshaft engine, the transmission and main rotors of the [[Bell 407]], and the tail and tail rotor of the [[Bell 427]]. Bell started flight demonstrations in October 2012.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ausa-bell-starts-oh-58-block-ii-flight-demo-377946/ Bell starts OH-58 Block II flight demo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419111303/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ausa-bell-starts-oh-58-block-ii-flight-demo-377946/ |date=19 April 2013}} Flightglobal.com, 23 October 2012</ref> Bell hoped for the Army to go with their service life extension models instead of the AAS program. The OH-58F is an "obsolescence upgrade", while the Block II was seen as the performance upgrade. This gave the Army financial flexibility via the option of upgrading the Kiowa to the OH-58F and later continuing to the Block II when there were sufficient funds.<ref>[http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/December/Pages/ScoutHelicopterCompetitorstoArmyIt’sTimeforaFlyoff.aspx Scout Helicopter Competitors to Army: It’s Time for a Flyoff] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130415183548/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/December/Pages/ScoutHelicopterCompetitorstoArmyIt%E2%80%99sTimeforaFlyoff.aspx |date=15 April 2013}} – Nationaldefensemagazine.com, December 2012</ref> In late 2012, the Army recommended that the AAS program proceed.<ref name="aas forward"/><ref name=AW_slep/> The Army ended the AAS program in late 2013.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140114/DEFREG02/301140036/Outgoing-General-US-Army-Must-Continue-Fund-Research-Development Outgoing General: US Army Must Continue To Fund Research and Development] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20140117033719/http%3A//www.defensenews.com/article/20140114/DEFREG02/301140036/Outgoing%2DGeneral%2DUS%2DArmy%2DMust%2DContinue%2DFund%2DResearch%2DDevelopment |date=17 January 2014}} – Defensenews.com, 14 January 2014</ref> In light of sequestration budget cuts in 2013, it was decided that the $16 billion cost to buy new armed scout helicopters was too great.<ref name="ndm14jan14"/>

===Others===
The OH-58X was a modification of the fourth development OH-58D (s/n 69-16322) with partial stealth features and a chin-mounted McDonnell Douglas Electronics Systems turret as a night piloting system; including a Kodak FLIR system with a 30-degree field of view. Avionics systems were consolidated and moved to the nose, making room for a passenger seat in the rear. No aircraft were produced.<ref name="Jackson-1"/>

== Operators ==

===Current operators===
[[File:Austria (Österreich), Zeltweg (Flughafen Hinterstoisser), AirPower 2013, OH-58 Kiowa, 0190.JPG|thumb|right|An [[Austrian Armed Forces]] OH-58, during AirPower 2013]]
;{{AUT}}
*[[Austrian Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021">{{cite web |last= |first= |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=75345 |title= World Air Forces 2021 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2021 |doi= |access-date= 4 July 2021 |url-access= registration}}</ref>
[[File:HRZ_M._Karačić.jpg|thumb|OH-58D Kiowa Warrior of the Croatian Air Force]]
;{{CRO}}
* [[Croatian Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{DOM}}
* [[Dominican Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{GRE}}
* [[Hellenic Army]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{IRQ}}
* [[Iraqi Army Aviation Command]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{SAU}}
* [[Royal Saudi Land Forces]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
[[File:ROCA OH-58D 636 Taking off from ROCMA Ground 20140531a.jpg|thumb|right|A Republic of China Army OH-58D taking off in 2014]]
;{{TWN-ROC}}
* [[Republic of China Army]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{TUN}}
* [[Tunisian Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/>
;{{flagu|United States}}
* [[United States Navy]] - 3 OH-58s in 2024<ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |title= World Air Forces 2025 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2024 |access-date= 10 December 2024}}</ref>

===Former operators===
;{{AUS}}
* [[Australian Army]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2018">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/|title= World Air Forces 2018 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2018|access-date= 25 August 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180206123925/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/ |archive-date= 6 February 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="RAAF">{{cite web |title= A17 Bell Kiowa |url= https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A17.htm |website= Royal Australian Air Force |publisher= RAAF Museum |access-date= 8 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161221050116/https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A17.htm |archive-date= 21 December 2016 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1= Dominguez |first1= Gabriel |title= Australian Army retires fleet of Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters |url= https://www.janes.com/article/83944/australian-army-retires-fleet-of-bell-206b-1-kiowa-helicopters |website= IHS Jane's 360 |access-date= 22 October 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181022152405/https://www.janes.com/article/83944/australian-army-retires-fleet-of-bell-206b-1-kiowa-helicopters |archive-date= 22 October 2018 |location= London |date= 22 October 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref>
;{{CAN}}
* [[Canadian Armed Forces]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.canadianwings.com/Aircraft/aircraftDetail.php?KIOWA-166 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20140122041147/http://www.canadianwings.com/Aircraft/aircraftDetail.php?KIOWA-166 |url-status= usurped |archive-date= 22 January 2014 |title= Bell CH-136 KIOWA |publisher= canadianwings.com |access-date= 17 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-historical/aircraft-historical.page#k |title= Historical Aircraft |access-date= 2 October 2016 |author= Royal Canadian Air Force |date= 2 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160814163230/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-historical/aircraft-historical.page#k |archive-date= 14 August 2016 |url-status= dead |author-link= Royal Canadian Air Force}}</ref>
;{{ESP}}
* [[Spanish Army]]{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
* [[Spanish Air and Space Force]]
;{{TUR}}
* [[Turkish Army]]{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}<!-- <ref name="World Air Forces 2021"/> -->
[[File:US Army OH-58D firing (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|A [[United States Army]] Kiowa]]
;{{flagu|United States}}
* [[United States Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.janes.com/article/74277/us-army-retires-final-kiowa-warrior |title= US Army retires final Kiowa Warrior |publisher= janes.com |access-date= 25 August 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180830210335/https://www.janes.com/article/74277/us-army-retires-final-kiowa-warrior |archive-date= 30 August 2018 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Aircraft on display==
* 68-16940 – [[International Airport]] in [[Palm Springs, California]]. Transformed into a sculpture.<ref>{{cite web |title= Airframe Dossier – Bell OH-58C (FG) Kiowa, s/n 68-16940 US, c/n 40254 |url= http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=30035 |website= Aerial Visuals |publisher= www.AerialVisuals.ca |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623030555/http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=30035 |archive-date= 23 June 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
* 69-16112 – OH-58A – [[Pima Air and Space Museum]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]]<ref>{{cite web |title= Kiowa |url= http://pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/bell-oh-58a-kiowa |website= Pima Air & Space Museum |publisher= pimaair.org |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150403043910/http://pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/bell-oh-58a-kiowa |archive-date= 3 April 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref>
* 69-16123 – [[Kansas Museum of Military History]] in [[Augusta, Kansas]]<ref>{{cite web |title= Aerial Visuals – Airframe Dossier – Bell OH-58 Kiowa, s/n 69-16123 US |url= http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=31192 |website= Aerial Visuals |publisher= AerialVisuals.ca |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623025635/http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=31192 |archive-date= 23 June 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
* 69-16153 – [[MAPS Air Museum]] in [[North Canton, Ohio]]<ref>{{cite web |title= History – OH-58 Kiowa |url= https://sites.google.com/a/mapsairmuseum.org/oh-58-kiowa/history |publisher= Google Sites |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623031154/https://sites.google.com/a/mapsairmuseum.org/oh-58-kiowa/history |archive-date= 23 June 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref>
* 69-16338 – [[Observation Post Alpha|Point Alpha Museum]] in [[Hesse, Germany]]<ref>{{cite web |last1= de Vries |first1= Wim |title= Memorial / Gedenkstätte Point Alpha – Bell OH-58A "Kiowa" |url= https://www.panoramio.com/photo/32906285 |website= Panoramio |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623050518/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/32906285 |archive-date= 23 June 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
* 70-15423 - OH-58A – [[Zephyrhills Museum of Military History]] in [[Zephyrhills, Florida]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2025 |title=Bell OH-58A Kiowa Exhibit |url=https://zmmh.org/exhibits/f/bell-oh-58a-kiowa-exhibit |website=zmmh.org}}</ref>
* 71-20475 – [[Veterans Memorial Museum]], [[Huntsville, Alabama]], United States<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.memorialmuseum.org/displays/aircrafts/item/oh58-kiowa-helicopter-2 |title= OH58 Kiowa Helicopter |work= memorialmuseum.org |access-date= 10 March 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150830120651/http://www.memorialmuseum.org/displays/aircrafts/item/oh58-kiowa-helicopter-2 |archive-date= 30 August 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Aircraft Data 71-20475, 1971 Bell OH-58C Kiowa C/N 41336 |url= http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/71-20475.html |website= Airport-Data.com |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623050350/http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/71-20475.html |archive-date= 23 June 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
*71-20869 – [[National Air Force Museum of Canada]], [[Trenton, Ontario]], Canada CH-136<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://airforcemuseum.ca/eng/?page_id=580|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224155550/http://airforcemuseum.ca/eng/?page_id=580|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 24, 2021|title=Kiowa – National Air Force Museum of Canada|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-03-08}}</ref>
* 71-20920 – [[Polish Aviation Museum]], [[Kraków]], [[Poland]] – CH-136<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl/zbiory_sz.php?ido=262&w=a|title=Bell CH-136 Kiowa|work=Polish Aviation Museum|access-date=2015-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623024706/http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl/zbiory_sz.php?ido=262&w=a|archive-date=2015-06-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 72-21256 – The [[Aviation Museum of Kentucky]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]<ref>{{cite web |title= Aircraft Data 72-21256, 1972 Bell OH-58A Kiowa C/N 41922 |url= http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/72-21256.html |website= Airport-Data.com |access-date= 20 May 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623024402/http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/72-21256.html |archive-date= 23 June 2015 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
* 93-0976 – OH-58D – [[Pima Air and Space Museum]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bell OH-58D - 1 |url=https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/bell-oh-58d-1/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Pima Air & Space |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 95-0015 – OH-58D – (not on public display as of 2024) [[Pima Air and Space Museum]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bell OH-58D - 2 |url=https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/bell-oh-58d-2/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Pima Air & Space |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Specifications (OH-58D)==
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 250
| image1            = Bell OH-58A Kiowa orthographical image.svg
| alt1              = 3-view line drawing of the Bell OH-58A Kiowa
| image_caption1    = 3-view line drawing of the Bell OH-58A
| image2            = Bell OH-58D Kiowa orthographical image.svg
| alt2              = 3-view line drawing of the Bell OH-58D Kiowa
| image_caption2    = 3-view line drawing of the Bell OH-58D
| direction         = vertical
}}
{{aircraft specs
|ref= ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1996–97'',<ref name="Jackson-1"/> ''U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947''<ref name=Harding>Harding, Stephen. "Bell H-58 Kiowa". ''U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947''. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. {{ISBN|0-7643-0190-X}}.</ref>
|prime units?= imp
|crew= 2 pilots
|length m= 12.85
|length ft= 42
|length in= 2
|span m=
|span ft=
|span in=
|rot number= 1<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia m= 10.67<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia ft= 35<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia in= 0<!-- helicopters -->
|width m=<!-- if applicable -->
|width ft=<!-- if applicable -->
|width in=<!-- if applicable -->
|height m= 3.93
|height ft= 12
|height in= 10
|rot area sqm= 89.42<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqft= 962.11<!-- helicopters -->
|empty weight kg= 1,737
|empty weight lb= 3,829
|gross weight kg= 2,495
|gross weight lb= 5,500
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[Rolls-Royce T703|Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A]]
|eng1 type= [[turboshaft]]
|eng1 kw= 485
|eng1 hp= 650
|max speed kmh= 240
|max speed mph= 149
|cruise speed kmh= 204
|cruise speed mph= 127
|range km= 260
|range miles= 161
|endurance= Two hours
|ceiling m= 4,575
|ceiling ft= 15,000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|hardpoints= Two pylons
|hardpoint other= 1x .50 cal (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning|M3P]] (or M296) heavy machine gun<ref>van Geete, Stephanie. [https://www.army.mil/article/19271/6-6-cavalry-aircrews-field-new-kiowa-warrior-weapons-system/ "6-6 Cavalry aircrews field new Kiowa Warrior weapons system."]  ''Army.mil'' Published 6 April 2009. Accessed 16 September 2013.</ref>
|hardpoint rockets= 1x LAU-68 rocket launcher with seven 70 mm (2.75 in) [[Hydra 70]] rockets
|hardpoint missiles= 2x [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] missiles
}}

==See also==
[[File:Tennessee National Guard (28393838621).jpg|thumb|A Bell OH-58 on its last flight, after being retired]]
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Bell YOH-4]]
* [[Bell 206]]
* [[Bell 400]]
* [[Bell 407]]
* [[Bell ARH-70]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Hughes OH-6 Cayuse]]
* [[MBB Bo 105]]
* [[Cicaré CH-14]]
* [[Mil Mi-36]]
* [[Changhe Z-11]]
* [[Aérospatiale Gazelle]]
|lists=
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
}}

==References==

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|group=note}}

===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite magazine |last=Elliot |first=Bryn |title=Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=March–April 1997 |issue=68 |pages=46–51 |issn=0143-5450}}
* Holley, Charles, and Mike Sloniker. ''Primer of the Helicopter War''. Grapevine, Tex: Nissi Publ, 1997. {{ISBN|0-944372-11-2}}.
* Spenser, Jay P. "Bell Helicopter". ''Whirlybirds, A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers''. University of Washington Press, 1998. {{ISBN|0-295-98058-3}}.
* World Aircraft information files Brightstar publishing London File 424 sheet 2
{{ACMH}}

==External links==
{{Commons|OH-58 Kiowa}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070614040742/http://www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/aircraft/kiowa.html OH-58 Kiowa Warrior] and {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071115182818/http://www.aviation.army.mil/factsheets/OH58.html OH-58D fact sheets on Army.mil]}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080519232746/http://tri.army.mil/LC/cs/csa/kppoints.htm OH-58D armament systems page on Army.mil]}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100509155706/http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/solutions/mms/index.html Kiowa Warrior Mast-Mounted Sight (MMS) Sensor Suite on northropgrumman.com]}}

{{JetRanger family}}
{{Bell Aircraft}}
{{Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation}}
{{US Army helicopters}}
{{US helicopters}}
{{CF aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:OH-58 Kiowa}}
[[Category:Bell aircraft]]
[[Category:United States military helicopters|Bell OH-58 Kiowa]]
[[Category:1960s United States military reconnaissance aircraft|H-58 Kiowa]]
[[Category:1960s United States helicopters]]
[[Category:Single-turbine helicopters|Bell OH-58 Kiowa]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1966]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with skid landing gear]]