Wed, May 01, 2013
Army-Led Initiative To Upgrade Rather Than Replace Vietnam-Era Aircraft
The U.S. Army planned a flight demonstration Tuesday of an upgraded OH-58 Kiowa Warrior that could save U.S. taxpayers some $600 million over the next several years.
The Army led an initiative with Bell Helicopter and Honeywell to build its own prototype aircraft in two years. Reuters reports that Army Colonel Robert Grigsby, project manager for armed scout helicopters, said "we've taken the best of everything and tried to package it into an aircraft as quickly as possible and get it out there ... to the force at considerable savings to the U.S. government and the U.S. taxpayer."
The prototype aircraft trims 160 pounds from the gross weight of a standard OH-58, as well as giving the aircraft a new common sensor and upgrading cockpit displays. By working as the "lead system integrator," the Army owns the technical rights to the new model, designated "F", and will conduct its own integration work.
The upgrade to the F-model would require the replacement of about 60 percent of the airframes of the Kiowa Warrior, but officials said that the service life would not be extended by the process
The aircraft first flew last Friday, according to the report. a total of 368 helicopters are slated for the upgrades by 2025. A major Pentagon review will be conducted in March of 2015 before moving into full production.
The Army had hoped to open a competition for a new helicopter to eventually replace the Vietnam-era Kiowa Warrior, but pressure on the military budget has placed that competition in doubt.
(Kiowa Warrior pictured in file photo)
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
Aero Linx: International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) is comprised of individuals, schools and ministry organiz>[...]
Also: Boeing Whistleblower, Joby Aviation, Aircraft Parts Bust, AF Crew Trains w USCG Our Airborne schedule will be interrupted next week as we live-stream AEA2024. AEA Dallas 2024>[...]
Also: Moron With A Laser, EAA Aviation Museum, FAA v Santa Monica Propeller Service, Frontier MEC Lauds FO Boom Supersonic has confirmed details surrounding the successful first te>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]