Military Helicopters
Bell AH-1Z Viper
ICAO: AH1Z
Overview
The Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a reconnaissance and light attack helicopter developed for the U.S. Army. An upgraded version of the earlier OH-58, it incorporated advanced sensors and weapons. The aircraft entered service in the 1980s.
Live Fleet Activity (B06)
📡
Fetching live data…
Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A
- Engine type
- Turboshaft
- Power
- 650 shp · 485 kW
- Avionics
- Mast-mounted sight
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 2
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 42 ft 2 in · 12.85 m
- Tail height
- 11 ft 1 in · 3.39 m
- Fuselage diameter
- —
- Wing span
- 35 ft 0 in · 10.67 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 3,350 lb · 1,500 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 2,000 lb · 900 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 120 gal · 500 L · 400 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 120 kt · 138 mph · 222 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 300 nm · 350 mi · 560 km
- Fuel burn
- 2.87 nm/gal · 1.40 km/L
- Ceiling
- 15,000 ft · 4,600 m
- Rate of climb
- 1,450 ft/min · 7 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
Gallery
(/)
tap to zoom
(/)
Live fleet activity details
📡
Operational Context
Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior — armed reconnaissance helicopter
The OH-58D first flew in 1983 and entered operational service in 1985. It featured a mast-mounted sight system above the rotor, allowing the aircraft to observe targets while remaining partially concealed. The helicopter was designed for scouting and light attack missions in support of ground forces.
Powered by a Rolls-Royce 250 turboshaft engine producing approximately 650 shaft horsepower, the OH-58D cruises at around 120 knots (222 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 5,500 pounds (2,495 kg). The aircraft can carry rockets and air-to-ground missiles depending on mission requirements.
The Kiowa Warrior served extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was eventually retired from U.S. Army service in 2017. The aircraft played a key role in modern armed reconnaissance doctrine.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.