Kiowa Warrior Block II Being Demonstrated To The Army | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Wed, Oct 24, 2012

Kiowa Warrior Block II Being Demonstrated To The Army

Voluntary Flight Demos At Army Bases This Week

Bell Helicopter is participating in a Voluntary Flight Demonstration (VFD) this week with the Bell Helicopter Block II OH-58 Kiowa Warrior. The U.S. Army is conducting these VFD's as part of their effort to replace to the current OH-58D scout helicopter. Scout helicopters fulfill a vital role for the Army including battlefield reconnaissance and armed response.

"The OH-58 Kiowa Warrior has earned an unmatched reputation in the scout community and we firmly believe that our Block II will continue this tradition while it delivers greater performance, new technology and even better reliability," said Mitch Snyder, Bell Helicopter's executive vice president of Military Programs.
 
According to Bell, the new Block II Kiowa Warrior will continue to meet the evolving needs of the Army for the next generation of scout helicopters. The Block II combines a new and more powerful engine with an enhanced tail rotor to deliver a fast fielding aircraft to achieve 6,000 feet and 95 degree performance. This proven Block upgrade will cost much less than a commercial off the shelf (COTS) design. The Block II upgrade will also blend seamlessly into the Army's existing supply chains, training programs and personnel system.
 
The Kiowa Warrior Block II also delivers a multitude of other advancements that include a state of the art Nose Mounted Sensor and enhanced situational awareness from three full color Multi-Function Displays. Looking to the future beyond the Block II, Bell Helicopter is developing a Block III which will have the Future Advance Rotor Drive System transmission, new rotor, and is an IFR rated aircraft.
 
"As proven with all the other Army Combat Fleet Helicopters in operation today, we believe by employing the Block modernization concept we can deliver a helicopter that meets today's requirements, while providing a clear roadmap for future upgrades as well," continued Snyder. During a Block upgrade program, using a rugged, reliable airframe like the Kiowa, the aircraft is continuously infused with the latest advances in technology, without the added expense of creating a new program.
 
Since its introduction into the Army fleet in 1992, the OH-58D has been in continuous use, logged more than 800,000 combat flight hours, and consistently achieves the highest availability and readiness rates for any Army helicopter. It remains the most requested Close Air Support (CAS) platform by ground commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(Image provided by Bell Helicopter)

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com


Advertisement

More News

Citation Operators Get Another Flight Data Connection for QA

LinxUs System Adds Capabilities for Data-Driven Operators Textron Aviation announced another option for operators processing their post-flight data, adding interoperability with GE>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.01.25)

Aero Linx: The de Havilland Moth Club Ltd The de Havilland Moth Club evolved from a belief that an association of owners and operators of Moth aeroplanes should be formed to create>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Bellanca 8GCBC

(Pilot) Inadvertently Applied Excessive Braking Action, And The Airplane Nosed Over Analysis: The pilot reported that, while landing at a remote, rough and uneven airstrip in a tai>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.01.25)

“MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF, enhancing small-unit lethality and providing organic capabilities that warfighters cur>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: High-Speed Match-up - Venom and GE Rebirth A Legend

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Major Engine Supplier Joins Forces With Small Aircraft Manufacturer… GE recently made an agreement with Venom Aircraft to supply engines for the>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC