Market niche of the Kiowa?

Hi all

I'm a chopper person, I like to hide in the weeds and stalk my prey and obviously the Gazelle has been my preferred tool for years. The announcement of the Kiowa first struck me with excitement, more modern than the Gazelle and with a higher mounted observation dome for even more stalking. But as I began to follow the posts, videos and screenshots a thought struck me. What is the actual purpose of releasing the Kiowa? Don't get me wrong, I'll probably end up in the Kiowa cockpit eventually but from a market perspective I'm curious. DCS already has a light helicopter with similar load-out capability.

/F

Kiowa is an airborne rotary wing version of artillery forward observer, forward air controller (JTAC), and command ship. It finds , classifies, prioritises, and distributes targets to attack helicopters, and is also a pathfinder for transport helicopters in air assault troop delivery/extraction operations. It also handles reconnaissance and intelligence collection for ground maneuver commander. It can be a light shooter, able to use Hellfire, rockets, and gunpods in direct fire role. It can serve as an all weather airborne security element conducting security patrols. Cancelled RAH-66 Comanche was supposed to be a replacement. Instead Kiowa got upgraded and shared expanded mission role with AH-64D.Kiowa can also laser illuminate targets for any laser guided munition and mark targets . Airborne or field artillery.

...and it gets APKWS, apart from being the first playable platform with Hellfire missiles. So you finally have a range advantage against the Russian Anti-Tank missiles that magically find their way to you 4000m away and 1m above the building or trees you hide behind. ;)

As above,

The APKWS is what I am most excited about, it really will extend the amount of precise damage these light weight choppers can dish out in one sortie.

Both will be great helicopters to fly.

What is the actual purpose of releasing the Kiowa? Don't get me wrong, I'll probably end up in the Kiowa cockpit eventually but from a market perspective I'm curious. DCS already has a light helicopter with similar load-out capability.

From a "market perspective" developing a AH-64D would have better sales but IMHO *most* DCS players expect more than good GFX and fantasy/best guess weapon systems.

AFAIK the KW was on a list of helicopters that PC were interested in and had enough information available to model it to a high level of detail, with an intention to use the lessons learned from the Gazelle's development, PC contacted Bell for a licence and sought SME's from the active KW community.

With positive feedback from the "KW community" and support from SME's who flew the KW in active service, PC hope to make one of best (if not the best) helicopter FM in DCS and use it to (later) improve/rework the Gazelle.

Although another recon chopper (like the Gazelle), PC obviously feel the KW is sufficiently different to get enough sales to justify their time and effort and that quality will sell.

The KW wouldn't have been my first choice but I am attracted by PC's dedication/effort to make an accurate module and expect the KW will be a day one purchase i.e. their "marketing" strategy works and is based on honesty/transparency.

I can honestly say, I will purchase this module the moment it is released.

So you finally have a range advantage against the Russian Anti-Tank missiles that magically find their way to you 4000m away and 1m above the building or trees you hide behind. ;)

You already have this advantage with the Ka-50 and its Vikhrs ;)

You already have this advantage with the Ka-50 and its Vikhrs ;)

Sill you need to be over the trees to see the target since the ka50 has the camera on its nose and no on the top of the rotor. And cannot buddylaze :D

We have a multirole western fighter in the F-18, what possible interest could there be in a F-16 or F-15E that arguably have extremely similar capabilities?

That's not the point of the game, really. They're making one because they can, and a ton of people are likely going to buy it for the only reason that really matters around here:

Because it's cool.

I don't think the "niches" within our niche actually apply so much force on this little market as to preclude entire sections of players from buying something. I think the only really strong niches in that regard are WWII vs. Cold War/Modern settings.

To be certain, yes the Gazelle can do quite a bit of what the Kiowa can do, but there's more to it than just that. Each airframe has its own character. Each aircraft has its own idiosyncrasies that make them unique experiences despite holding a similar role to something else.

Why make a Kiowa for DCSW?

So it can support its Big Brother the Longbow!!!

(Hopefully coming.)

You already have this advantage with the Ka-50 and its Vikhrs ;)

The OH-58D can also lase for western aircraft.