The United States have delivered at least seven utility helicopters to the Force Aérienne Congolaise (Congolese Air Force) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The helicopters are the Bell 206L LongRangers (9T-HB1 and 9T-HB2), plus UH-1Hs (9T-HB3, 9T-HB4, 9T-HB5, 9T-HB6 and 9T-HB7), all were acquired second-hand from unconfirmed sources.
It’s unclear when they entered service, but they were first noted when all seven were present at a ceremony at Kinshasa-N’Djili Airport on October 29 last year, during which they were temporarily placed on loan to the Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI, National Independent Electoral Commission) to assist with logistics during the country’s elections. Eleven government aircraft were also loaned for the same purpose.
The OH-58 Kiowa Warrior conducts armed reconnaissance, security, target acquisition and designation, command and control, light attack and defensive air combat missions in support of combat and contingency operations. It replaces the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters (those that function as scouts in air cavalry troops and light attack companies) and OH-58A and C Kiowas in air cavalry troops.
A single engine, four-bladed helicopter with advanced visionics, navigation, communication, and weapons and cockpit integration systems. The mast-mounted sight (MMS) houses a thermal imaging system, low-light television, laser rangefinder/designator, and an optical boresight system. These systems enable the Kiowa Warrior to operate by day and night and allow target acquisition and engagement at stand-off ranges and in adverse weather conditions.
On the other hand, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed “Huey”) is a utility military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace company Bell Helicopter. The UH-1H is a twin-engine helicopter.