General Dynamics reaches OH-58D component delivery milestone
General Dynamics has announced that its Global Imaging Technologies business has delivered the 1,000th precision-machined beryllium sensor housing to DRS Technologies for the US Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter. DRS integrates the sensor housings into the OH-58D Mast Mounted Sight (MMS).
General Dynamics provides close-tolerance machining and processing of beryllium to tolerances of up to 1/100,000 (0.000001) of an inch to manufacture sensor housing units tailored to DRS Technologies specifications. As it has a weight of one-third of that of aluminium, beryllium allows the sensor housing to meet challenging size, weight and power requirements. Additionally, beryllium is six times stiffer than steel and has a high thermal stability, allowing the housing to maintain its integrity in harsh airborne environments.
Bob McGill, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies, said: ‘We are very proud of the continued hard work and dedication exhibited by our employees on this project. For more than two and a half decades, our unique expertise in beryllium machining has allowed us to reliably deliver these precise, complex structures in support of DRS and the Kiowa Warrior Helicopter.’
The Kiowa Warrior helicopter performs armed reconnaissance, security, target acquisition and designation, command and control, light attack and defensive air combat missions in support of combat and contingency operations for the US Army.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
