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The Saudi Army is taking delivery of 16 Bell 406CS Combat Scouts. The Combat Scout is an armed and sensor equipped relative of the Kiowa, another difference being the four bladed main rotor. The 406CS and the US Army's similar OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, are examples of the many contenders for the Army's Kiowa replacement programme.
Aircraft of the ADF- Al7 Bell Kiowa
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A17 — Bell 206B-1 Kiowa
Throughout the 1960s, Bell helicopters dominated the rotary-wing elements of the Royal Australian Air Force and Army. Sixty-five Bell 47G Sioux were delivered to the Army from 1960 to 1969, and 64 Bell UH-1 Iroquois were delivered to the RAAF over the 1962–1973 period. A further seven Iroquois saw service with the RAN.
Introduction and Vietnam Service
In the early 1970s, the Army required a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) to replace the ageing Sioux, which had seen US Army service in the Korean War. Over the second half of 1971, No. 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat leased eight Bell OH-58A Kiowas for service in Vietnam. These aircraft retained their US Army serial numbers (70-15236 to 70-15243) and were flown for nine months on operations.
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For the longer-term requirement, the Kiowa was selected over the French SA341 Gazelle in 1971 as the new Army LOH. The model chosen was the 206B-1 version, a military variant of the 206A JetRanger, featuring an uprated engine and lengthened rotor blades. To aid in operating in unprepared areas, the Australian 206B-1 also incorporated high-clearance skids.
Manufacturing and Delivery
Seventy-five aircraft were ordered as part of a plan for the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC, now HdH Victoria) to build a total of 191 Kiowas for both military and civil markets. The first twelve 206s were US-built by Bell at Fort Worth, Texas, and assembled by a local agent in Brisbane. These aircraft were serialled A17-001 to A17-012. The first, A17-001, was officially handed over to the Army at Brisbane airport on November 22, 1971.
In 1974, the Federal Government cut the Army order back to 56 aircraft. The remainder of this order, A17-013 to A17-056, were built by CAC from kits supplied by Bell as the CAC model CA-32. The first was rolled out in April 1973, and this was destined to become the first Royal Australian Navy (RAN) machine (serialled N17-013) to replace the Westland Scout. The last Kiowa, A17-056, was received by the Army in 1977.
Service and Modifications
The Kiowa was briefly renamed in Army service as the Kalkadoon in 1973, after a tribe of Aborigines from the Cloncurry region known for their warrior skills. However, the name never gained popular acceptance, and the type remained known as the Kiowa.
To overcome the hazards of nap-of-the-earth flying, windscreen central frames were strengthened and cable cutters were fitted. For night flying, night vision goggles (NVGs) are used, and thermal imaging equipment has been evaluated.
- Army Service: Served with 171 (Command and Liaison) Squadron at Oakey until 1989. Currently, both 161 and 162 (Reconnaissance) Squadrons at Holsworthy and Townsville fly the type.
- Navy Service: No. 723 Squadron, based at HMAS Albatross, currently flies three Kiowas: N17-006 (896), N17-013 (892), and N17-049 (890). One is often deployed at sea aboard the survey vessel HMAS Moresby.
The Army is currently looking at replacing the Kiowa in the late 1990s. Possible contenders include the Aerospatiale AS565 Panther, the McDonnell Douglas MD520, and the Italian Agusta A129.
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