Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Bell OH-58 Kiowa
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1967–1989
Quantity
2,325
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT · COLD WAR
16
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
87
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the intelligence / recon aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- Base AirframeBell 206
- Mission TypeObservation and reconnaissance
- Service Entry Year1969
- Flight Crew2
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypeTurboshaft
- Number of Engines1
▣Performance4MOD.4
- Cruise Speed230 km/h
- Service Ceiling3,500 m
- Range450 km
- Endurance3
◇Mission Systems3MOD.3
- Primary Sensor / RadarMast Mounted Sight (MMS)
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Self-Protection SuiteYes
◆Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length10.5 m
- Wingspan10.5 m
- Max Takeoff Weight2,000 kg
▤Production1MOD.1
- Total Built2,325
⬢Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2020
- Production Start1966
- Production End1989
- Operational StatusRetired (US Army)
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1967Production started
- 1969Entered service
- 1989Production ended
59
years in service
22
years in production
2,325
units produced
13
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
BELL OH-58 KIOWA · CONFLICTS SERVED IN33% win
Total Conflicts
3
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
1993–1995United Nations Operation in Somalia II—→1992–1993Unified Task Force—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries13country
Bell OH-58 KiowaSALES3records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — |  Canada | 74 | — | — |
| — |  Australia | — | — | — |
| — |  Dominican Republic | 12 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT RANKING Intelligence / Recon Aircraft · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
38INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT16COLD WAR · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT1125UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS14PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTELLIGENCE / RECON AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theIntelligence / Recon Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources