US Army OH-58F makes first flight

The US Army's OH-58F Kiowa Warrior made its first flight on 26 April at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The helicopter, which was designed and built by the army itself, will make a formal debut on 30 April.
In the future, the aircraft is expected to receive dual-redundant digital engine controls and digital capability for the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile.
flightglobal

Bell trials upgraded Kiowa Warrior prototypes

Bell Helicopter has tested two upgraded versions of its OH-58F armed reconnaissance helicopter in order to present the US Army with a path forward, should the service decide to further modernise its venerable Kiowa Warrior fleet.
One demonstrator is powered by a Honeywell-built turboshaft, the other features a Rolls-Royce powerplant, says Bell president and chief executive officer John Garrison.

flightglobal

U.S. Army officials keen to buy new armed scout helicopter

U.S. Army officials have backed a plan to buy new armed scout helicopters instead of extending the life of the OH-58.

alert5

reuters

US Army takes delivery of first OH-58F

The handover, on 24 October at Meridianville, Alabama, concludes the aircraft's build phase. Now the 1968-vintage aircraft will be fitted out with flight test instrumentation in readiness for the first flight, expected to take place in April 2013.

shephardmedia