What is the unit cost? The Army pulled the Kiowas and It would be nice to get a good scout bird back in the inventory. We now have to use Apaches for the scout role.
Additionally, Is the SOF a community wanting to replace the Little Birds now, or is this aircraft an expensive solution looking for a problem?
No kidding. How am I supposed to hang in the door w my boots on the skid? Being inside the aircraft isnt very cool......
RLTW
The Kiowa is an excellent example of the mistake of taking an acceptable, civilian platform, and loading it up with armor and armaments and making it a greater danger to its own crew than the enemy.
I was nearly killed in a Kiowa in 1980. Damn you, LBJ! After the OH-6 bested the Bell Jet Ranger in the competition, he ordered Bell to get the contract, anyway. Lady Bird was a major stockholder in Bell Helicopter.
Just like when McNamara gave the jersey award to Ford over Willis. How many soldiers were killed in rollovers of that unstable piece of shit!