Light Observation Helicopter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Light Observation Helicopter | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| OH-58 Kiowa |
The Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter. The program would yield two helicopters primarily used for "scout" observation missions.
[edit] Design selection
In 1960, the United States Army issued Technical Specification 153,[1] a request for proposals (RFP), for a four-seat, turbine-powered, light observation helicopter capable of fulfilling various roles: personnel transport, escort and attack missions, casualty evacuation and observation. 12 manufacturers, including Hughes Tool Co. Aircraft Division, Hiller Aircraft and Bell Helicopters, entered the competition.[2] The United States Navy provided technical expertise to assist the Army in evaluating the design proposals.[3] In October 1961, the Army selected three of the designs for a flight evaluation. Bell's Model 206 design was recommended by the Army team[3] and designated the YHO-4 (later YOH-4),[4] Hiller's Model 1100 was recommended by the Navy team[3] and became the YHO-5 (later YOH-5), and Hughes' Model 369 was added to the competition[3] and became the YHO-6 (later YOH-6). Each manufacturer submitted 5 test and evaluation prototypes of their designs to the Army for flight test evaluation at Camp Rucker, Alabama.
As a result of the flight evaluation, Hiller's YOH-5 and Hughes' YOH-6 were selected to compete in a program cost analysis bid for the contract. The Hughes bid won the contract, although Hiller protested the contract award, and in 1965, the YOH-6 was redesignated as the OH-6A Cayuse.
In 1967, the Army reopened the LOH competition for bids and Bell resubmitted for the program using their model 206A design. Fairchild-Hiller failed to resubmit their bid with the YOH-5A, which they had successfully marketed as the FH-1100.[5] In the end, Bell won the contract and the model 206A was designated as the OH-58A. Following the Army's naming convention for helicopters, the OH-58A was named Kiowa for the Native American tribe.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Apostolo, Giorgio (1984). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books. ISBN 0517439352.
- ^ Steve Remington. The Cessna CH-1 Helicopter. CollectAir.
- ^ a b c d George A. Spangenberg, edited by Judith Spangenberg-Currier. "George A. Spangenberg Oral History" (pdf pp.187-190). . www.spangenberg.org
- ^ Robert Beechy (18 November 2005). U.S Army Aircraft Acquisition Programs. Uncommon Aircraft 2006.
- ^ Michael J. Hirschberg and David K. Daley (7 July 2000). US and Russian Helicopter Development In the 20th Century.
|
||||||||||||||
