KIOWA WARRIOR

Abstract

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (KW) is a two-seat, single-engine, observation, scout/attack helicopter with four main rotor blades. It utilizes a thermal-imaging system and a laser rangefinder/designator in a mast-mounted sight situated above the main rotor system. The aircraft is equipped with a variety of weapon systems including: HELLFIRE, 2.75-inch rockets, and a .50-caliber machine gun. The aircraft operates autonomously at standoff ranges providing armed reconnaissance, command and control, and target acquisition/designation for Apache helicopters and other airborne weapons platforms in day, night, and adverse-weather conditions. Sensor imagery from compatible Unmanned Aerial Systems and manned aircraft can be received and relayed to other aircraft or ground stations. The Active Army and the National Guard fly Kiowa Warriors. Funding develops, integrates and qualifies modifications to support Kiowa Warrior missions. The ACAT II KW Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) will convert the OH-58D/D(R) to the OH-58F configuration, and allow it to continue to safely serve as the Army's armed reconnaissance, aviation platform through its operational service end date of FY 2025. Efforts include upgrading to Control Display Subsystem version 5 (CDS5), adding a second AN/ARC231 SATCOM Radio, third Multifunction Display (MFD), Dual Channel Full Authority Digital Electronic Controller(FADEC), armament enhancements, replace the Mass Mounted Sight (MMS) with an advanced Nose Mounted Sensor (NMS), and other weight and obsolescence reduction upgrades. Cockpit and maintenance trainers will be upgraded to maintain concurrency.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Source ID
538_0604220A_5_2040_PB_2013

Tags

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Directed Energy
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems

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