Bell OH-58 Kiowa Military Helicopter

The AH-58D was an OH-58D version operated by Task Force 118 (4th Squadron, 17th Cavalry) and modified with armament in support of Operation Prime Chance. The weapons and fire control systems would become the basis for the Kiowa Warrior. AH-58D is not an official DOD aircraft designation, but is used by the Army in reference to these aircraft.
The Kiowa Warrior, sometimes referred to by its acronym KW, is the armed version of the OH-58D Kiowa. The main difference that distinguishes the Kiowa Warrior from the original AHIP aircraft is a universal weapons pylon found mounted on both sides of the aircraft. These pylons are capable of carrying combinations of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, air-to-air Stinger (ATAS) missiles, 7-shot 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra-70 rocket pods, and an M296 .50 caliber machine gun. The standard of performance for aerial gunnery from an OH-58D is to achieve at least one hit out of 70 shots fired at a wheeled vehicle 800 – 1200m away. The Kiowa Warrior upgrade also includes improvements in available power, navigation, communication and survivability, as well as modifications to improve the aircraft's deployability.
• OH-58F
The OH-58F is the designation for planned upgrade of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior to extend the design's service until 2025. The planned Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) features a nose-mounted targeting and surveillance system for use to look downward over mountains and deserts, rather than the mast-mounted sensor used on the OH-58D, used to look over trees and down-range. The AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload includes an advanced infrared camera, color Electro-Optical camera, and image intensifier. Cockpit upgrades include the Control and Display Subsystem version 5, which has more processing and storage power, three full color multi-function displays, and dual-independent advanced moving maps. It has the Force Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) display screen, with future improvement to Blue Force Tracker 2. The new model will have Level 2 Manned-Unmanned (L2MUM) teaming. Survivability enhancements include ballistic floor armor and the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). Other features include improved cockpit control hardware and software for enhanced situational awareness, digital inter-cockpit communications, digital HELLFIRE future upgrades, Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) upgrades, a redesigned aircraft wiring harness, Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS), and enhanced weapons functionality via 1760 digital interface. The aircraft has a dual-channel, full-authority digital engine-controller to ensure it operates at required power levels in all environments. The F-model upgrades do not address increased engine power requirements, although Rolls-Royce has proposed a power boost to the current Model 250-CR30 engine to increase output by 12% to achieve "high-hot" performance.