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== Aircraft History ==
== Aircraft History ==


The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a remarkable piece of aviation history. This single-engine,
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a French five-seat helicopter, commonly used for light
single-rotor military helicopter has served numerous roles, from observation and utility
transport, scouting and light attack duties. The SA-342M variant initially offered to us
to direct fire support.
by Polychop Simulations is an anti-armor version of this nimble helicopter. First
designed in 1967 by Sud Aviation (which later became Aérospatiale, then Eurocopter,
and now Airbus Helicopters as of 2014), the Gazelle was manufactured in France and
in the United Kingdom through a joint production agreement with Westland Aircraft.


The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was initially developed during the early 1960s as the D-250 for
The SA-342 Gazelle originated in a French Army requirement for a lightweight
the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Despite facing stiff competition from
observation helicopter intended to replace the Aérospatiale Alouette III; early on in
rival Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, Bell refined its design and successfully submitted a variant
the aircraft's development, the decision was taken to enlarge the helicopter to enable
to the reopened LOH competition. The initial model, designated as the OH-58A, was
greater versatility and make it more attractive for the export market. In 1966, Sud
introduced in May 1969. Successive models followed, featuring uprated engines,
Aviation began working on a light observation helicopter to replace its Alouette II with
enhanced protection systems, and other improvements, culminating in the OH-58F.
seating for five people.


In the 1970s, the US Army expressed interest in an advanced scout helicopter. The OH-
Early on, the Gazelle attracted British interest, which resulted in a major joint
58 Kiowa was further developed, evaluated, and ultimately procured as the OH-58D
development and production work share agreement between Sud Aviation and
Kiowa Warrior. This variant was equipped to perform armed reconnaissance missions
Westland. The deal, signed in February 1967, allowed the production in Britain of 292
and provide fire support to friendly ground forces. It featured a distinctive Mast
Gazelles and 48 Sud Aviation SA-330 Puma medium transport helicopters ordered by
Mounted Sight (MMS) containing various sensors for target acquisition and laser
the British armed forces; in return Sud Aviation was given a work share in the
designation.
manufacturing programme for the 40 Westland Lynx naval helicopters for the French
Navy.


The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior introduced perhaps the most distinctive feature of the
Additionally, Westland would have a 65% work share in the manufacturing, and be a
Kiowa family, the Mast Mounted Sight (MMS). This gyro-stabilized platform contained
joint partner to Sud Aviation on further refinements and upgrades to the Gazelle.
a television system, a thermal imaging system, and a laser range finder/designator.
Westland would produce a total of 262 Gazelles of various models, mainly for various
These features gave the OH-58D the additional mission capability of target acquisition
branches of the British armed forces, Gazelles for the civil market were also produced.
and laser designation in day or night, limited-visibility, and adverse weather.


The Bell OH-58 Kiowa has a rich operational history, having been deployed in
The first prototype SA-340 flew for the first time on 7 April 1967, it initially flew with a
numerous war zones over the decades. Only two months after its entry into service, it
conventional tail rotor taken from the Alouette II. The tail was replaced in early 1968
was first deployed into the Vietnam War. The US Army made extensive use of various
with the distinctive fenestron tail on the second prototype. Four SA 341 prototypes
OH-58 models, seeing active combat during the Gulf War, the Invasion of Panama, and
were flown, including one for British firm Westland Helicopters. On 6 August 1971,
the War in Afghanistan among others.
the first production Gazelle conducted its first flight. On 13 May 1967, a Gazelle
 
demonstrated its speed capabilities when two separate world speed records were
Despite its proven capabilities, the OH-58 Kiowa was retired from active service in the
broken on a closed course, achieving speeds of 307 km/h over 3 km and 292 km/h
US Army in 2017. However, it continues to serve in several other countries’ armed
over 100 km.
forces, including Greece, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. The Kiowa’s retirement was part of
a broader restructuring of the US Army’s aviation assets, which saw a shift towards the
use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance roles.
 
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of military
aviation design. From its early days as a light observation helicopter to its evolution
into a versatile combat platform, the Kiowa has proven its worth time and again. Its
legacy continues to influence the design of future military helicopters, ensuring that
the spirit of the Kiowa lives on

Latest revision as of 12:18, 11 June 2024

Aircraft History

The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a French five-seat helicopter, commonly used for light transport, scouting and light attack duties. The SA-342M variant initially offered to us by Polychop Simulations is an anti-armor version of this nimble helicopter. First designed in 1967 by Sud Aviation (which later became Aérospatiale, then Eurocopter, and now Airbus Helicopters as of 2014), the Gazelle was manufactured in France and in the United Kingdom through a joint production agreement with Westland Aircraft.

The SA-342 Gazelle originated in a French Army requirement for a lightweight observation helicopter intended to replace the Aérospatiale Alouette III; early on in the aircraft's development, the decision was taken to enlarge the helicopter to enable greater versatility and make it more attractive for the export market. In 1966, Sud Aviation began working on a light observation helicopter to replace its Alouette II with seating for five people.

Early on, the Gazelle attracted British interest, which resulted in a major joint development and production work share agreement between Sud Aviation and Westland. The deal, signed in February 1967, allowed the production in Britain of 292 Gazelles and 48 Sud Aviation SA-330 Puma medium transport helicopters ordered by the British armed forces; in return Sud Aviation was given a work share in the manufacturing programme for the 40 Westland Lynx naval helicopters for the French Navy.

Additionally, Westland would have a 65% work share in the manufacturing, and be a joint partner to Sud Aviation on further refinements and upgrades to the Gazelle. Westland would produce a total of 262 Gazelles of various models, mainly for various branches of the British armed forces, Gazelles for the civil market were also produced.

The first prototype SA-340 flew for the first time on 7 April 1967, it initially flew with a conventional tail rotor taken from the Alouette II. The tail was replaced in early 1968 with the distinctive fenestron tail on the second prototype. Four SA 341 prototypes were flown, including one for British firm Westland Helicopters. On 6 August 1971, the first production Gazelle conducted its first flight. On 13 May 1967, a Gazelle demonstrated its speed capabilities when two separate world speed records were broken on a closed course, achieving speeds of 307 km/h over 3 km and 292 km/h over 100 km.

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