Bell OH-58 Kiowa

OH-58C

Equipped with a more robust engine, the OH-58C was supposed to solve many issues and concerns regarding the Kiowa's power.

In addition to the upgraded engine, the OH-58C had unique IR suppression systems mounted on its turbine exhaust.

Early "C" models featured flat-panel windscreens as an attempt to reduce glint from the sun, which could give away the aircraft's location to an enemy.

The windscreens had a negative effect of limiting the forward view of the crew, a previous strength of the original design.

The aircraft was also equipped with a larger instrument panel, roughly a third bigger than the OH-58A panel, which held larger flight instruments.

The panel was also equipped with [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (NVG) compatible cockpit lighting.

The lights inside the aircraft are modified to prevent them from interfering with the aircrews' use of NVGs.

OH-58C aircraft were also the first U.S. Army scout helicopter to be equipped with the AN/APR-39 radar detector, a system which allowed the crew to know when there were anti-aircraft radar systems in proximity to the aircraft.

Some OH-58C aircraft were armed with two [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

These aircraft are sometimes referred to as OH-58C/S, the "S" referring to the Stinger installation.

Called Air-To-Air Stinger (ATAS), the weapon system was intended to provide an air defense capability.