Tue, Apr 19, 2011
Updated Kiowa Warrior Flight Was "Flawless," Bell Says
The OH-58 Block II demonstrator completed its first flight at
Bell Helicopter's Xworx research and development facility in Fort
Worth, Texas on April 14. “The flight was flawless and
completed according to plan,” said Cathy Ferrie, Director of
Bell Helicopter’s Xworx facility. “The Block II is a
significant leap forward in performance for the Kiowa Warrior
platform and will absolutely make this a 21st Century airframe for
the 21st Century soldier.”
Bell Helicopter is developing this OH-58 Block II fleet
representative demonstrator to facilitate prototyping activities in
anticipation of a U.S. Army future requirement of 6K/95
performance. The Block II OH-58 provides an attractive, cost
efficient alternative for the U.S. Army and U.S. taxpayer, and will
demonstrate Bell helicopter’s ability to meet or exceed all
performance requirements for the Army’s Armed Aerial Scout.
Bell Helicopter is developing this aircraft with its own resources
and at no cost to the government.
The Block II demonstrator takes an OH-58 Kiowa Warrior and makes
it a fast fielding, low risk and lowest cost solution to achieve
6,000ft and 95 degree performance. The “high-hot”
performance can be attained with propulsion and drive training
upgrades to the existing platform. This upgrade program builds upon
the F model Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) improvements
by adding a new engine, transmission and rotor system.
“By continuing to upgrade the OH-58F into a Block II
program, the Army will save money that they can invest in future
technologies or future platforms,” said Stephen Eppinette,
Army business development manager. “It will also give the
Army and the tax payer a return for the money invested in the F
model program.” Along with the performance upgrades,
the Block II will adopt fully integrated condition-based
maintenance (CBM) technologies so that the aircraft will have
higher performance, increased safety, and greater operational
readiness while reducing life-cycle costs.
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