OH-58D Replacement?

[sgtgunn]

Since the cancellation of the RAH-66 in 2004, and the ARH-70 in 2008, are there any plans to replace or uprgrade the OH-58D in the US Army? How much airframe life does the OH-58 fleet have left? From what I've been able to find, the production line ended in 1989 so most of these aircraft are getting a little long in the tooth.

Is the USMC UH-1Y Venom a viable replacement candidate?

Thanks,

Adrian

 

[F-15 Eagle]

I think they will just stick to the OH-58 for the mean time until another replacement program starts assuming that does not get canceled as well.

 

[winnyfield]

afaik, a new program is already underway. A variant of the 'Little Bird' might be the favorite.

Form ARES, http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blog...79a7Post:06f73d58-724b-4f1b-8ea6-33e003c47f18

...

What happens next? Boeing is waiting in the wings with its AH-6X, the loser in the original ARH competition. The company has continued work on its own money, first through the Unmanned Little Bird program and now for the international market. The aircraft is probably pretty close to being ready - but whether it is what the Army will want is another matter.

Bell could rebid the ARH-70 on a new cost base, as the helicopter is fairly well along in development. And EADS could offer an armed version of the UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter. Or the Army could soldier on with a modernization of its hard-worn Kiowa Warriors. For something that started out as a low-cost way to make the most out of funding freed up by cancellation of the RAH-66 Comanche, this sure went wrong.