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At a glance
Measured figures
206B Jetranger II · including rotors
Single source38 ft 9.5 in (11.824 m) including rotors[source]
OH-58D · Length
Configuration
| Specification | Bell 206 | Bell OH-58 Kiowa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multipurpose utility helicopter[source] | Observation and reconnaissance helicopter[source] |
| National origin | United States / Canada[source] | United States[source] |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter[source] | Bell Helicopter[source] |
| Status | In service[source] |
42 ft 2 in (12.85 m)[source]
Cruise; 206B Jetranger II · at MTOW, 5,000 feet
Single sourceMaximum; 206B Jetranger II · at MTOW (sea level)
Single source122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h) at MTOW (sea level)[source]
120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h) at MTOW, 5,000 feet[source]
Cruise; OH-58D · Cruise speed
Single sourceMaximum; OH-58D · Maximum speed
Single source206B Jetranger II · 1,350 ft/min (
Single source1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
In service[source] |
| Number built | 7,300[source] | 2,325 plus 58 206B-1[source] |
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| Manufactured | 1962–2017[source] | 1966–1989[source] |
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| Introduction date | 1967[source] | May 1969[source] |
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| First flight | December 8, 1962 (206) January 10, 1966 (206A)[source] | Bell 206A: 10 January 1966 OH-58D: 6 October 1983 OH-58F: 26 April 2013[source] |
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| Developed from | Bell YOH-4[source] | Bell 206[source] |
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| Variants | Bell OH-58 Kiowa Bell 407[source] | — |
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| Developed into | Bell 400 TwinRanger[source] | — |
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| Capacity | 4 passengers[source] | — |
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| Fuselage length | 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)[source] | — |
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| Interior dimensions | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) length, by 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) width, by 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) height, plus 16 ft 3 (453 L) baggage compartment[source] | — |
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| Main rotor area | 873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )[source] | 962.11 sq ft (89.42 m 2 )[source] |
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| Blade section | – NACA 0012 mod (11.3%)[source] | — |
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| Maximum speed at 5,000 ft | 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW[source] | — |
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| Disk loading | 4 lb/sq ft (20 kg/m 2 )[source] | — |
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| Power/mass | 0.09 hp/lb (0.15 kW/kg)[source] | — |
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| Role | family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters ,[source] | family of single-engine single- rotor military helicopters[source] |
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| Source measurement | When the YOH-4A was eliminated by the Army, Bell went about marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped seating for three passengers. The solution was a redesigned fuselage, sleeker and aesthetically appealing, adding 16 ft 3 (0.45 m 3 ) of cargo space in the process. A Bell executive contributed to the redesign by drawing two lines on a sketch extending the fuselage to where it meets the tail. The redesign was designated Bell 206A, and Bell President Edwin J. Ducayet named it the JetRanger , denoting an evolution from the popular Model 47J Ranger .[source]Bell 206 · Development / JetRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 206L LongRanger is a stretched variant with seating for seven. The fuselage, stretched a total of 30 inches (760 mm), adds two rear-facing seats between the front and rear seats. Since 1975, Bell has produced more than 1,700 LongRangers across all variants. In 1981, a military version, the 206L TexasRanger was released. The original 206L used an Allison 250 -C20R engine, and a series of model upgrades replaced this engine with more powerful versions; the 206L-1 used a 250-C28, and the 206L-3 and 206L-4 used the 250-C30P.[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In both applications, the 250-C30P is derated from 650 hp for takeoff and 501 hp continuous. The 206L-3 is transmission-limited to 435 hp for take-off, and the 206L-4 is transmission-limited to 495 hp. The derating of the C30P produces an advantage in hot-day and high-altitude operations, as it can produce the rated horsepower at higher altitudes and temperatures where applications that use the maximum rating of the engine at sea level suffer accelerated performance deterioration with increases in temperature and altitude. The 206L-3 and L-4 have not been offered in a twin configuration under those model designations.[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 2007, Bell announced an upgrade program for the 206L-1 and 206L-3 designed to modify the aircraft to the 206L-4 configuration; modified aircraft are designated 206L-1+ and 206L-3+. Modifications include strengthened structural components (including a new tailboom), improved transmission, upgraded engine for the L-1, all of which result in a maximum gross weight increase of 300 pounds and increased performance.[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The basic shape and design of the JetRanger remained unchanged since 1967, but Bell introduced the 206B JetRanger II in 1971. In 1977, the 206B-3 JetRanger III was introduced with its modified tail rotor and more powerful engine. The JetRanger is popular with news media for traffic and news reporting. The LongRanger is commonly used as an air ambulance and as a corporate transport. On September 1, 1982, pilots H. Ross Perot, Jr. and Jay Coburn departed Dallas, Texas in the " Spirit of Texas ", a Bell 206L-1 (N3911Z). They returned on 30 September, 29 days and 3 hours later, completing the first around-the-world helicopter flight.[source]Bell 206 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On July 22, 1994, Ron Bower landed his 206B-3 (N206AJ) at Hurst, Texas , setting a new record for around-the-world flight by a helicopter. Bower had departed on June 24 and returned 24 days, 4 hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds later, averaging 35.62 knots (40.99 mph; 65.97 km/h). Bower had added a 91-US-gallon (340 L) auxiliary fuel tank, which doubled the JetRanger III's range.[source]Bell 206 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Upgraded Allison 250-C20J engine and added 2 inches (51 mm) to tail rotor diameter for yaw control.[source]Bell 206 · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 137 commercial Bell 206B-3s purchased in 1993 as the primary and instrument helicopter trainer for the US Army at Fort Rucker , Alabama. 35 in VFR configuration and 102 in IFR configuration. The US Army has 181 units as of 2026, of which 121 are in VFR configuration and 60 are in IFR configuration. All TH-67s display US registrations ("N" numbers) and are operated as public use aircraft.[source]Bell 206 · Variants / Military; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: 4 passengers[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 38 ft 9.5 in (11.824 m) including rotors[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Fuselage length: 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 9 ft 6.5 in (2.908 m)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Interior dimensions: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) length, by 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) width, by 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) height, plus 16 ft 3 (453 L) baggage compartment[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 1,455 lb (660 kg)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine, 400 hp (298 kW)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor area: 873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h) at MTOW (sea level)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed at 5,000 ft: 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h) at MTOW, 5,000 feet[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 337 nmi (388 mi, 624 km) at MTOW, 5,000 feet, cruise speed, no reserves[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) at MTOW[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | When the YOH-4A was rejected by the Army, Bell went about solving the problem of marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped quarters for the planned three passengers in the back. The solution was a fuselage redesigned to be more sleek and aesthetic, adding 16 cubic feet (0.45 cubic metres) of cargo space in the process. The redesigned aircraft was designated as the Model 206A . Bell President Edwin J. Ducayet named it the JetRanger , denoting an evolution from the popular Model 47J Ranger .[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Development / Light Observation Helicopter (LOH); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Army's decision to acquire the NTSH resulted in the "Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP)". Both Bell Helicopter and Hughes Helicopters redesigned their scout aircraft to compete for the contract. Bell offered a more robust version of the OH-58 in their Model 406 . Hughes offered an upgraded version of the OH-6. In September 1981, Bell Helicopter Textron was awarded a development contract. On 6 October 1983, the first prototype performed its maiden flight, In 1985, the aircraft entered service as the OH-58D.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Development / Army Helicopter Improvement Program (AHIP); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine single- rotor military helicopters principally used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. The primary role of the original OH-58A was to identify targets for other platforms, such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter and ground artillery . It lacked any armaments and weighed 1,451 kg (3,200 lb) when fully loaded, being able to carry a small amount of cargo or up to two passengers. While initial examples were reliant on the crew to conduct observations, later models were furnished with sophisticated sensors to precisely determine a target's location. Payload capacity was increased considerably on later-build rotorcraft. The OH-58D Kiowa was designed to carry a maximum load of 2,495 kg, 72% more capacity than the original version.[source] |
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| Primary users | — | United States Army (historical) Republic of China Army Royal Saudi Land Forces Hellenic Army[source] |
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| Retired | — | 2020 (U.S. Army)[source] |
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| Endurance | — | Two hours[source] |
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| Hardpoints | — | Two pylons , with provisions to carry combinations of:[source] |
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| Rockets | — | 1x LAU-68 rocket launcher with seven 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 or APKWS rockets[source] |
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| Missiles | — | 2x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles[source] |
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| Other | — | 1x .50 cal (12.7 mm) M3P (or M296) heavy machine gun[source] |
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| Engine | — | single-engine[source]Kiowa Warrior |
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| Country of origin | — | Canada[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 25, cell 2; revision 1376392791; retrieved 2026-10-02 |
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Early Kiowas were fitted with a flexible twin-bladed main rotor. Starting with the OH-58D, a four-bladed rigid main rotor was used. Entirely composed of composite materials , the OH-58D was the first US Army rotorcraft to incorporate an all-composite main rotor hub. Later models were outfitted as light gunships , equipped with armaments such as Stinger air-to-air missiles , a .50-caliber machine gun , podded 70mm Hydra rockets and AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles .[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
On 27 March 1970, an OH-58A Kiowa (s/n 68-16785) was shot down over South Vietnam, one of the first OH-58A losses of the war. The pilot, Warrant Officer Ralph Quick Jr., was flying Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Benoski Jr. as an artillery spotter. After completing a battle damage assessment for a previous fire mission, the aircraft was damaged by .51 inch (13 mm) machine gun fire and crashed, killing both crew members. Approximately 45 OH-58A helicopters were destroyed during the Vietnam War due to combat losses and accidents.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Vietnam War; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
During Operation Desert Storm, 130 deployed OH-58D helicopters worked alongside the other Army attack helicopters, 145 AH-1 Cobras and 277 AH-64 Apaches , and participated in a wide variety of critical combat ground forces mission. During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm , the Kiowas collectively flew nearly 9,000 hours with a 92 percent fully mission capable rate. The Kiowa Warrior had the lowest ratio of maintenance hours to flight hours of any combat helicopter in the war.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Gulf War; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Army attack helicopters also worked jointly with close air support and support aircraft such as the USAF A-10As , F-16A/Cs , EF-111As , EC-130H Compass Call , F-4G Phantom II " Wild Weasel ", and E-8 Joint STARS .[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Gulf War; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The RAID program's mission has now been expanded to include the war against terrorism and supporting U.S. Border Patrol activities in support of homeland defense. The National Guard RAID units' Area of Operation (AO) is the only one in the Department of Defense that is wholly contained within the borders of the United States .[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / RAID; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
During Operation Just Cause in 1989, a team consisting of an OH-58 and an AH-1 were part of the Aviation Task Force during the securing of Fort Amador in Panama . The OH-58 was fired upon by Panama Defense Force soldiers and crashed 100 yards (90 m) away, in the Bay of Panama . The pilot was rescued, but the co-pilot was killed in action.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Operation Just Cause and action in the 1990s; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
On 17 December 1994, Army Chief Warrant Officers (CWO) David Hilemon and Bobby Hall left Camp Page, South Korea on a routine training mission along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Their flight was intended to be to a point known as Checkpoint 84, south of the DMZ "no-fly zone", but the OH-58C Kiowa strayed nearly four miles (6 km) into the Kangwon Province, inside North Korean airspace, due to errors in navigating the snow-covered, rugged terrain. The helicopter was shot down by North Korean troops and CWO Hilemon was killed. CWO Hall was held captive and the North Korean government insisted that the crew had been spying. Five days of negotiations resulted in the North Koreans turning over Hilemon's body to U.S. authorities. The negotiations failed to secure Hall's immediate release. After 13 days in captivity, Hall was freed on 30 December, uninjured.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Operation Just Cause and action in the 1990s; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
In Iraq, OH-58Ds flew 72 hours per month. In Afghanistan, the type flew 80 hours per month. In April 2013, Bell stated that the OH-58 collectively accumulated 820,000 combat hours, and had achieved a 90% mission capable rate.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Afghanistan and Iraq; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
In December 2013, the U.S. Army had 338 Kiowas in its active-duty force and 30 in the Army National Guard . The Army considered retiring the Kiowa as part of a wider restructuring to cut costs and reduce the variety of helicopters operated. The Analysis of Alternatives for the AAS program found that operating the Kiowa alongside RQ-7 Shadow UAVs was the most affordable and capable solution, while the AH-64E Apache Guardian was the most capable immediate solution. One proposal was to transfer all Army National Guard and Army Reserve AH-64s to the active Army for use as scouts, to divest the OH-58.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Operational history / Retirement; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The OH-58A Kiowa is a four-place observation helicopter. It has two-place pilot seating, although the controls in the left seat are designed to be removed to carry a passenger up front. During its development for Vietnam War, it was fitted with the M134 Minigun , a 7.62 millimetres (0.300 in) electrically operated machine gun.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Variants / OH-58A; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The Australian Army leased eight OH-58As in 1971 in South Vietnam for eight months. The Australian government procured the OH-58A for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy as the CAC CA-32 . Licensed produced in Australia by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation , the CA-32 was the equivalent of the 206B-1 (uprated engine and longer rotor blades). The first twelve of 56 were built in the U.S. then partially disassembled and shipped to Australia, where they were reassembled.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Variants / OH-58A; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The Kiowa Warrior , sometimes referred to by its acronym KW , is the armed version of the OH-58D. A key difference between the Kiowa Warrior and original AHIP aircraft is a universal weapons pylon found mounted on both sides of the fuselage, capable of carrying combinations of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, air-to-air Stinger (ATAS) missiles, 7-shot 2.75 inches (70 mm) Hydra-70 rocket pods, and an M296 0.50 in (12.7 mm) caliber machine gun. The performance standard of aerial gunnery from an OH-58D is to achieve at least one hit out of 70 shots fired at a wheeled vehicle 800 to 1,200 m (2,600 to 3,900 ft) away. The Kiowa Warrior includes improvements in available power, navigation, communication, survivability, and deployability.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Variants / OH-58D; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
The OH-58F is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C30R3 engine rated at 650 shp (480 kW). It has a dual-channel, full-authority digital engine-controller that operates at required power levels in all environments. Rolls-Royce proposed engine tweaks to raise output by 12%.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Variants / OH-58F; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
In October 2012, the first OH-58F was finished. Unlike most military projects, the Army designed and built the new variant itself, which lowered development costs. It weighed 3,590 lb (1,630 kg), 53 lb (24 kg) below the target weight and about 200 lb (91 kg) lighter than the OH-58D. The weight savings are attributed to more efficient wiring and a lighter sensor. The first production aircraft began manufacturing in January 2013 and was handed over to the Army by year end. Low rate production was to start in March 2015, with the first operational squadron being fully equipped by 2016. The Army was to buy 368 OH-58Fs, with older OH-58 variants to be remanufactured. Due to battle damage and combat attrition, total OH-58F numbers were about 321 aircraft. The OH-58F's first flight occurred on 26 April 2013.[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Variants / OH-58F; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Length: 42 ft 2 in (12.85 m)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Height: 12 ft 10 in (3.93 m)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Empty weight: 3,829 lb (1,737 kg)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Gross weight: 5,500 lb (2,495 kg)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce T703-AD-700A turboshaft , 650 hp (485 kW)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Main rotor diameter: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Main rotor area: 962.11 sq ft (89.42 m 2 )[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Maximum speed: 149 mph (240 km/h, 129 kn)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Cruise speed: 127 mph (204 km/h, 110 kn)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Range: 161 mi (260 km, 140 nmi)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Endurance: Two hours[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,575 m)[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Hardpoints: Two pylons , with provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets: 1x LAU-68 rocket launcher with seven 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 or APKWS rockets Missiles: 2x AGM-114 Hellfire missiles Other: 1x .50 cal (12.7 mm) M3P (or M296) heavy machine gun[source]Bell OH-58 Kiowa · Specifications (OH-58D); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage