The AH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter represents the zenith of modern military technology, boasting an impressive suite of capabilities essential for reconnaissance, security, target acquisition and designation, command and control, as well as light attack and defense in air combat missions supporting combat and contingency operations. It inherits the lineage of the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters serving as scouts in air cavalry troops and light attack companies, alongside the OH-58A and C Kiowas in air cavalry troops.
A singularly powered, four-bladed aircraft, armed with state-of-the-art avionics, navigation, communication, and weapons and cockpit integration systems, the Kiowa Warrior is equipped to the teeth. The mast-mounted sight (MMS) houses a thermal imaging system, low-light television, laser rangefinder/desginator, and an optical boresight system, enabling day and night operations and engagement of targets at standoff ranges even in adverse weather conditions.
The Kiowa Warrior’s highly precise navigation system provides accurate target locations that can be shared with other aircraft or artillery via its advanced digitized communications system. Battlefield imagery can be transmitted in near-real-time to provide situational awareness to command and control elements. The Laser Designator can autonomously designate targets for the Laser HELLFIRE or remotely designate for other missile guidance processes.
Equipped with two interchangeable weapon pylons, each capable of carrying two HELLFIRE missiles, seven HYDRA 70 rockets, two air-to-air Stinger missiles, or a .50 caliber fixed forward machine gun, the armament systems 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 horizontal 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.
While Kiowa Warrior fielding is complete, the army continually invests in safety and performance modifications to keep the aircraft safe and 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 weapon systems, with minimal 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.