The folks at Polychop have just released a reasonably extensive FAQ for their in-development DCS: OH-58 Kiowa Warrior project. The FAQ is wide ranging answering a number of key questions on specific pieces of equipment, weapons, and even the price tag. Let’s have a look!
Answering our questions
Frequently asked questions on the DCS: OH-58D Kiowa Warrior have now been answered thanks to a post on the Polychop Discord. A new FAQ section has been added to the OH-58D section and it contains quite a bit of key information. While most of it isn’t going to be especially new to long time followers of the project, it is still nice to have definitive answers all in one place.
One bit of new information is the price which they list as $69.99 USD. We also have confirmation that Poylchop intend to incorporate an AI assist into the module much the way that George AI has been developed for the AH-64D. No pre-order or early access period is planned with a complete module intended for release. We also have no release date, however, the definitive pricing is a hint that we may be now moving in the right direction towards that.
The FAQ
Q: What version of the OH-58D Kiowa will we get?
A: OH-58D(R) CDS4, dating from around 2016. However, the mission editor has access to options to customize the aircraft to represent older airframes with systems such as AN/ALQ-144 Infra-red Countermeasures, the Pilot Display Unit and the removal of the Mast Mounted Sight.
Q: Can I shoot the M4 out of the door?
A: Yes
Q: Is there going to be multicrew?
A: Yes
Q: Will there be a data link or similar?
A: The Improved Data Modem (IDM) is a similar system that allows for transmission of data between player aircraft. This includes but is not limited to the following features: Free-text Messaging, Target Sharing and Remote Hellfire Missions. The OH-58D is also equipped with the Level 2 Manned-Unmanned System (L2MUMS) which allows for video and data transmission between player controlled OH-58Ds and AI UAVs.
Q: What price tag is it going to have?
A: 69,99 USD
Q: Will it have a George AI?
A: The OH-58D will not have a ‘George’ AI on release but this feature is our highest priority after release.
Q: Will it be on Early Access or Pre-Purchase? If so, will there be a discount?
A: The OH-58D will not see an early access release or pre-purchase period.
Q: Will a paintkit be available on release?
A: This is very unlikely
Q: What weapons will be available for this aircraft?
A: M3P .50-caliber machine gun, various 2.75 inch rockets (including laser guided APKWS), AGM-114K Hellfire, Air-To-Air-Stinger missiles and the trusty M4 carbine on the dash.
Q: Can we throw the smoke grenades that are on the dashboard?
A: Yes
Q: Does the Kiowa have a HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) or HUD?
A: The OH-58D has an Optical Display Assembly (ODA) (also referred to as Anvis Display Symbology System – ADSS) which is a helmet mounted sight for use with Night Vision Goggles. Optionally the Pilot Display Unit (PDU) can be installed which provides a limited HUD for weapons symbology.
Q: Does the Kiowa have a data cartridge?
A: Yes – the Personal Computer Data Transfer System (PC-DTS) is a data cartridge system that can save and load data to/from a JSON file. The saved data includes Routes, Waypoints, Target Points, Radio frequencies, Notepad data and more.
Q: Will the FARP Asset pack that was shown in 2019 be released with the Kiowa?
A: No, sadly it will not. While it seemed like a great idea back in 2019, the implications of having to support and maintain 30+ assets indefinitely have the potential to become a burden on our small team.
Q: Are force feedback controllers supported?
A: Testing this is in progress.
Q: Is the flight model of the Gazelle representative of the Kiowa’s flight model?
A: The flight model (and all other areas of development) of the OH-58D has undergone a rigorous testing process with both our internal SMEs and those from Eagle Dynamics. During the entire development process we have had access to – and direct feedback from – experienced Kiowa pilots and crew chiefs who contribute directly to the validation of the flight model and systems of the OH-58D.
Check out the Polychop Discord to see the original posting and participate in the community there.
Stormbirds 
That’s about $110Cdn with the tax in. Ouch! That’s more than I paid for the Strike Eagle and a chunk more than I paid for the Apache.
I’m sure it will be very nice but I’ll probably pass. Not sure how many brain cells I have to spare for another helicopter. We’ll see.
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instant purchase for me. Have seen these things in action for real and they are cool. Real senator your pants stuff.
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seat of pants rather. Senator? Wtf autocorrect.
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Serious question – what is the appeal of these small recon choppers like Kiowa and Gazelle in dcs? Hit one or two things and RTB.
I think I’ll pass on this one, price is a bit steep for what it is.
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What I like most about the Gazelle, and I don’t fly it much to be honest, is the insane visibility out of the cockpit. For zooming around ultra-low it’s pretty cool. Other than that, it’s not my bird. The Ka-50 is still my first love. 🙂
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I’ve just gotten sucked into flying the Gazelle and I quite like it. It feels very different to fly than the Hind or Apache and you fulfill a different role.
Not for everyone but some folks prefer to fly a more scouting based role. Simpler aircraft to manage while still putting fires on target.
With the Kiowa I think it’s able to provide lasing for other aircraft so being able to coordinate with other strikers would be great.
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I flew the Gazelle before and after the update and, to me, the flight model still seems broken. Every helo in DCS has its own characteristics, but the Gazelle has never felt right. Given their spotty “we’ll fix it” history, $70 is a big ask.
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I’ve just been flying it a fair bit recently and I think it’s on par with a lot of others in the industry. Is there something that sticks out to you in terms of handling? Which helicopter stands out for best feeling?
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Every DCS helicopter has its own idiosyncrasies. One thing they all seem to get right is the weight – for lack of a better term – of the controls. I’ve ridden in a Gazelle flown by Bob Bondurant in the 1980s and even his bravado couldn’t produce the kind of roll rates and twitchy-ness of the flight model as it exists today, IMHO.
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Very interesting. I’ll have to evaluate it for twitchy behaviour on my next flight – IMHO I’m finding it suitably weighty and not that twitchy compared to helicopters in other sims so this one feels very good to me by comparison. That is me not having any experience in the real thing though.
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