What Have Kiowa Warrior And Lynx Wildcat Got In Common?

The Agusta Westland Lynx Wildcat reconnaissance helicopter is often criticised for having it's sensors mounted on it's nose.

Many believe a reconnaissance helicopter should have these sensors mounted above the rotor head in what is known as a Mast Mounted Sight (M.M.S.).

This is where the OH 58D Kiowa carries it's sensors.

Mounting the sensors up high allows the helicopter to see over cover while hovering behind it protected from enemy fire.

This was very useful during the Cold War when these helicopters were expected to be falling back on to friendly terrain ahead of advancing Soviet tank armies.

However,recent operations have seen American forces moving fast and high over terrain controlled by the enemy.

Seeing what is beneath the helicopter is now regarded as more important than hiding behind hills and you can't do that with an M.M.S..

Which is why the latest "F" model of the Kiowa Warrior will have it's sensors relocated to the aircraft's nose.

Just Like the Wildcat.

But with even better all round coverage thanks to the under nose location.

There have also been suggestions that Mast Mounted Sights suffer from vibration more than nose mounted sights.

Fire Scout Versus Kiowa

The renaissance of the unmanned aircraft has been perceived as a revolution in military technology which will transform warfare.

Unmanned aircraft are often perceived as new types of weapon systems having little in common with existing military aircraft.

But is that the case? 

Fire Scout is a small helicopter which carries an optical sensor turret and lightweight missiles,it has a gross weight of 3,150 pounds,a maximum speed of 115 knots,a ceiling of 20,000 feet,an endurance of over 8 hours and each one costs an average of (U.S.) $17 Million / (U.K.) £10.6 Million (Financial Year 2011 figures).

Kiowa Warrior is a small helicopter which carries an optical sensor turret and lightweight missiles,it has a gross weight of 5,500 pounds,a maximum speed of 125 knots,a ceiling of 19,000 feet,an endurance of 2 hours and each one costs an average of $8.1 Million / £5 Million  (Financial year 1999 figures).