The AH-58 Kiowa Warrior: An Adaptable Weapon in Contemporary Conflict
With its impressive array of capabilities essential for reconnaissance, security, target acquisition and designation, command and control, as well as light attack and defense in air combat missions in support of combat and contingency operations, the AH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter stands as the epitome of contemporary military technology. It carries on the tradition of the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters, which are used by light attack companies and air cavalry troops as scouts, as well as the OH-58A and C Kiowas.
a four-bladed, single-engine helicopter outfitted with cutting-edge avionics, navigation, communication, and weaponry as well as cockpit integration technology. A thermal imaging system, an optical boresight system, a low-light television, and a laser rangefinder/designator are all housed in the mast-mounted sight (MMS). Thanks to these features, the Kiowa Warrior can operate in inclement weather and at night, engaging targets at standoff ranges.
With its sophisticated digital communications system, the Kiowa Warrior’s highly accurate navigation system can transmit precise target location to other aircraft or artillery. Command and control elements can receive near-real-time situational awareness through the transmission of battlefield pictures. For the Laser HELLFIRE, the Laser Designator can offer autonomous designation; for other missile guidance systems, it can offer remote designation.
The Kiowa Warrior is equipped with two interchangeable weapon pylons. Each pylon can be armed with two HELLFIRE missiles, seven HYDRA 70 rockets, two air-to-air Stinger missiles, or one .50 caliber fixed forward machine gun. The armament systems combine to provide anti-armor, anti-personnel, and anti-aircraft capabilities at standoff ranges.
The Kiowa Warrior is rapidly deployable by air and can be fully operational within minutes of arrival. Two Kiowa aircraft can be transported in a C-130 aircraft. For air transportability, the vertical tail fins, blades, and the horizon stabilizer are folded, and the mast-mounted sight, the IFF antenna, and the lower wire are removed. The landing gear can kneel to decrease the height.
Although Kiowa Warrior fielding is complete, the army is continuously investing in the safety and performance modifications to keep the aircraft safe and performance optimized throughout its service life. The mast-mounted sight enables the Kiowa Warrior to fight both day and night, at the maximum range of its weapons systems – and with minimum exposure. The aircraft remains compromised during all but a few seconds of an autonomous engagement, making it considerably more survivable than gunships with nose-mounted sensors.
