OH-58 Kiowa
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on its Model 206A Jet Ranger helicopter. First introduced in 1969, over the decades it has been modified and upgraded with more powerful engines and weapons. The OH-58 was used primarily as a scout and trainer but the Kiowa Warrior version was a formidable gunship. The OH-58 was in continuous U.S. Army service from 1969 to 2017.
The museum’s Kiowa, a veteran of the Gulf War, serving with the 3rdACR in Iraq. Through the GSA Law Enforcement support program, the aircraft was lent to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Aviation. The aircraft was transferred through GSA to the museum in 2018.
| Manufacturer: | Bell | ||
| Designation: | OH-58 | ||
| Version: | A | ||
| Nickname: | Kiowa | ||
| Type: | observation, utility and direct fire support | ||
| First Flew: | 1966 | ||
| Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 32′ 2″ | ||
| Height: | 9′ 7″ | ||
| Rotor diameter: | 35′ 4″ | ||
| Payload: | 1,200 lbs | ||
| Crew: | 2 | ||
| Empy weight: | 1583 lb | ||
| Max weight: | 3,000 lb | ||
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Allison T63-A-700 turboshaft | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 317 hp | ||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 299 miles | ||
| Cruise speed: | 117 mph | ||
| Max Speed: | 138 Mph | ||
| Ceiling: | 19,000 ft | ||
| Armament: | Guns: six-barreled 7.62mm M134 minigun mounted on the M27 Armament subsystem or M129 grenade launcher mounted on the XM8 armament subsystem | ||