The US Army launched the Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) to replace the OH-58D. The resulting F model Kiowa upgrade was largely based on the cancelled ARH-70 and was intended to be manufactured from 2011 by the US Army Redstone Arsenal in Alabama to ensure the aircraft service life through 2025.
The most visitble change was that the familiar sensor ball, which is mast-mounted above the rotor in older models, has been moved down to the front of the aircraft. The new sensor, called the AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload, included an advanced infrared camera, a color Electro-Optical camera and an image intensifier similar to what is used by Night Vision goggles. Other upgrades are a HTS900 engine with a dual-channel full-authority digital engine-controller (FADEC), the Bell 427 tail rotor, protective ballistic floor armor and the flares launcher Common Missile Warning System (CMWS).
The OH-58F made a ceremonial first flight April 30, 2013.
At least 368 OH-58F Kiowa Warriors were initially scheduled to be "built" between 2017-2025.
In January 2014, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel approved an Army Aviation plan that includes divesting all OH-58 Kiowa Warrior and taking all AH-64 Apache out of the National Guard and transferred them to regular units. He also proposed to retire its entire training fleet of TH-67s and replace them with UH-72A Lakota.
The first production qualification aircraft build were scheduled to be complete in March 2014 to enter acceptance test procedures but by mid-2014 Bell received a stop-work order for the Kiowa F-model CASUP program.
More info at Bell 206 in US Army.
The most visitble change was that the familiar sensor ball, which is mast-mounted above the rotor in older models, has been moved down to the front of the aircraft. The new sensor, called the AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload, included an advanced infrared camera, a color Electro-Optical camera and an image intensifier similar to what is used by Night Vision goggles. Other upgrades are a HTS900 engine with a dual-channel full-authority digital engine-controller (FADEC), the Bell 427 tail rotor, protective ballistic floor armor and the flares launcher Common Missile Warning System (CMWS).
The OH-58F made a ceremonial first flight April 30, 2013.
At least 368 OH-58F Kiowa Warriors were initially scheduled to be "built" between 2017-2025.
In January 2014, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel approved an Army Aviation plan that includes divesting all OH-58 Kiowa Warrior and taking all AH-64 Apache out of the National Guard and transferred them to regular units. He also proposed to retire its entire training fleet of TH-67s and replace them with UH-72A Lakota.
The first production qualification aircraft build were scheduled to be complete in March 2014 to enter acceptance test procedures but by mid-2014 Bell received a stop-work order for the Kiowa F-model CASUP program.
More info at Bell 206 in US Army.
OH-58F Kiowa Warrior News |
OH-58F made a ceremonial first flight
30-Apr-13 - Army News Service by C. Todd Lopez - WASHINGTON - The newly updated Kiowa Warrior aircraft, the OH-58F, made a ceremonial "first flight," April 30, at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. With new cockpit and sensor modifications installed, the OH-58F represents the first major upgrade or modernization to the Kiowa Warrior in 20 years.US Army Armed Aerial Scout halted again
29-Apr-13 - WASHINGTON, Army News Service By C. Todd Lopez - With sequestration firmly in place, the Army will be buying a lot less stuff, and leaders are concerned about ensuring the businesses they buy things from don't wither.
Army building new F model Kiowa Warrior
15-Mar-11 - ARLINGTON, Va. (Army News Service) -- The U.S. Army is beginning mission equipment upgrade modifications to its fleet of OH-58 Kiowa Warrior scout aircraft in an effort to build a new, high-tech "F" model helicopter designed with improved avionics, better sensors and stepped-up overall performance capability, service officials said.New F Designation for OH-58 Program
26-Oct-10 - FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company announced that the U.S. Army Aviation awarded a new designation for the highly successful OH-58 platform. Specifications OH-58F Kiowa Warrior |
List of Operators of OH-58F Kiowa Warrior |
| Years | Model | Org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968/20 | 206 |  US Army Aviation |
Construction Numbers |
| C/N | Year | History | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43346 | 93-00960 | |||
