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
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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