Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Bell OH-58A Kiowa
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1966–1989
Quantity
2,325
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
45
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1966
- Service Entry Year1969
- Crew2
- Passengers2
- Primary RoleObservation, utility, and direct fire support
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
- Engine TypeAllison T63-A-700
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power (each)236 kW
- Transmission Rating236 kW
- Rotor ConfigurationSingle main rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter10.67 m
- Main Rotor Blades2
- Anti-Torque TypeTail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed222 km/h
- Cruise Speed180 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)240 km/h
- Service Ceiling5,790 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,660 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,320 m
- Range480 km
- Ferry Range1,000 km
- Rate of Climb7.8 m/s
- Endurance360
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length9.8 m
- Height2.92 m
- Rotor Disc Area89.4
- Empty Weight718 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,360 kg
- Useful Load642 kg
- Cabin Volume1.13
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload318 kg
- GunM134 Minigun (7.62mm)
- Anti-Tank MissilesNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Rocket PodsNo
- Sling Load Capacity0 kg
- Rescue HoistNo
▤Avionics7MOD.7
⬢Survivability6MOD.6
▲Production2MOD.2
- Total Built2,325
- Variants5
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2020
- Production Start1966
- Production End1989
- Operational StatusRetired from U.S. Army in 2020
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1966Production started
- 1969Entered service
- 1989Production ended
60
years in service
23
years in production
2,325
units produced
10
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
BELL OH-58A KIOWA · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Bell OH-58A Kiowa 06 / Operators
Operator Countries13country
07 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
137UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS45COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS1489UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS96PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📚 Sources