 {| |} the bell oh-58 kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. bell helicopter manufactured the oh-58 for the united states army based on its model 206a jetranger helicopter. the oh-58 has been in continuous use by the u.s. army since 1969. the latest model, the oh-58d kiowa warrior, is primarily operated in an armed reconnaissance role in support of ground troops. the oh-58 has been exported to austria, canada, the dominican republic, taiwan, and saudi arabia. it has also been produced under license in australia. ==development== on 14 october 1960, the united states navy asked 25 helicopter manufacturers on behalf of the army for proposals for a light observation helicopter (loh). bell helicopter entered the competition along with 12 other manufacturers, including hiller aircraft and hughes tool co., aircraft division.remington, steve. "the cessna ch-1 helicopter". collectair.com bell submitted the d-250 design, which would be designated as the yho-4.beechy, robert. "u.s army aircraft acquisition programs". uncommon aircraft 2006. 18 november 2005. accessed on 19 september 2006. on 19 may 1961, bell and hiller were announced as winners of the design competition.see light observation helicopter. the navy, who was assisting the army in the selection phase, recommended the hiller model 1100, while the army team preferred the b
Bell_aircraft United_States_helicopters_1960a1969 United_States_military_helicopters United_States_military_reconnaissance_aircraft_1960a1969