Brooks: Fort Bragg soldiers rally to defense of Kiowa Warrior helicopters

[unhappycamper]

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/12/15/1302036?sac=fo.military



Brooks: Fort Bragg soldiers rally to defense of Warrior helicopters
By Drew Brooks
Published: 12:00 AM, Sun Dec 15, 2013

Is this the end of the line for the plucky Kiowa?

According to news reports, Army leaders are considering scrapping their fleet of OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters to cut costs and reduce the number of different helicopters in the force.

The helicopters are small and have little armor, but they have been a mainstay of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, protecting troops and providing invaluable reconnaissance.

According to the Army Times, the final decision has yet to be made, but industry sources thought it all but done.



unhappycamper comment: The Army announced last week that they want to scrap the Kiowa fleet and use more expensive Apaches and Blackhawk choppers --> http://www.armytimes.com/article/20131209/NEWS04/312090006/Army-Plans-Scrap-Kiowa-Helo-Fleet

[appal_jack]

1. Sounds like someone wants a shopping spree.

Sounds like someone wants a shopping spree. The Army has no alternative in mind, but to use more expensive helicopters in a role for which they were not designed. And then they want to start designing a new helicopter, all without citing any specific problems with the Kiowa. The article adds:

Although the Kiowa program kicked off in 1969, the Kiowa Warriors being used today were built from 1985 onward. The entire fleet has been completely reset and remachined over the past decade, with the upgrade program ending in 2011.

So what exactly is wrong with these <3 year old birds?

Disclaimer: I am not a pilot or a service member: just an engaged citizen.

k&r

-app

[unhappycamper]

2. The armor on the Kiowa sucks.

It's not (real) close to Vietnam-level sucks, but it's close.