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 (MMS) 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 (UAS) 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 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 life. Efforts include upgrading Control Display System (CDS) mission computers, avionics, intercom system, aircraft survivability systems, weapon systems, electrical systems, and cockpit instruments and displays, reducing weight and obsolescence, structural modifications, and replacing single with dual channel Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), the MMS with the nose mounted AN/AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload (CSP) which is common with the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Training Aids, Devices, Simulators and Simulations (TADSS) will be upgraded to maintain concurrency. Additionally, the funding will incorporate required design improvements by Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to the Single Channel FADEC Upgrade Electronic Control Unit (SCFU ECU) to improve safety and reliability of the OH-58D engine fuel control.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2015
Source ID
538_0604220A_5_2040_PB_2015

Tags

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

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

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