HIS JOB
This is the type of aircraft he works on. He is a Maintenance Crew Chief for this type of aircraft. He recently went to Bravo Troop to do the maintenance on their aircraft. It amazes me as I have no idea how something that weighs so much can stay in the air...


OH-58 (A, C, and D) Kiowa


The Kiowa Warrior provides the army with a helicopter capable of performing various scouting and observation missions. The Kiowa's small size and agility enable it to slip between tree lines, or down a streambed, to sneak up on an opponent. Equipped with a Mast Mounted Sight, the Kiowa can report back to headquarters by voice radio, directly to other aircraft through the Airborne Target Hand-over System (ATHS), or to artillery firing units via TACFIRE.

Normally, the OH-58D will be the eyes for other systems. But if necessary it can be equipped with both air-to-air systems like the Stinger and air-to-ground systems like the Hellfire.

HISTORY: Entered service with the US Army in 1960. Also used by 50 other countries.




Crew: 2
Speed: 120 knots
Range: 416 km
Engine: single turbine engine
Recognition Features: two-bladed main rotor;
two-bladed tail rotor; rectangular fuselage;
large vertical fin attached to tail boom;
bubble-type or flat-plate windshield
Armament: varies





OH-58 Kiowa


Type: scout helicopter
Entered Army Service: 1968
Variants in Service: OH-58A/B/C/D
Specifications: (OH-58D)
Length: 40 ft 11 in
Weight: 4,500 lbs.
Speed: 149 mph
Range: 345 mi
Crew: 2





OH-58D "Warrior"


This is the armed version of the OH-58 scout helicopter. In an armed reconnaisance role, it specializes in night operations and can be armed with 70mm rockets, Hellfire and Stinger missiles and .50-cal. machine guns. It has a 90-knot cruise airspeed.

With the highest readiness rate in the U.S. Army Fleet, the Kiowa Warrior is the most versatile armed reconnaissance helicopter in the world. Maximum speed: 125 kts, 232 kph. Range (sea level):268 nm, 497 km.



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