Hughes H-6
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| MH-6 Little Bird | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | ||
| Role | Utility and assault | |
| Crew | 1 or 2 | |
| First Flight | ||
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | Hughes Aircraft and McDonnell Douglas | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 9.8 m | |
| Height | 2.6 m | |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 896 kg | |
| Loaded | kg | |
| Maximum takeoff | 1,610 kg | |
| Capacity | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | One Allison T63-A-5A or T63-A-700 Turboshaft | |
| Power | 317 hp | 236 kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | mph | 282 km/h |
| Combat range | miles | 430 km |
| Service ceiling | ft | 4,875 m |
| Rate of climb | ft/min | 63 m/min |
| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | Two 7.62 mm machine gun; Two .50 cal (12.7 mm) MG pods | |
| Bombs | ||
| Missiles | Two TOW missile pods; Two Hellfire ATGM; Two Stinger AAM | |
| Rockets | Two 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket pods | |
| Other | Two 40 mm grenade launchers | |
The Hughes H-6 is a family of light utility and assault helicopters of the United States Army. Hughes developed the first variant, the OH-6 Cayuse, as a scout and utility aircraft for the Vietnam War. Later McDonnell Douglas developed the A/MH-6 Little Bird from Hughes' OH-6 Cayuse and its civilian model, the MD 500 Defender series. The A/MH-6 Little Bird is flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) at Fort Campbell.
The assault variant can carry a pod on either side of the fuselage fitted with various guns, missiles or rockets. In lieu of pods, the troop ship variant is rigged with a slick platfom on either side for carrying up to six men on the outside of the helicopter. It can cruise at speeds of 160 mph (257 km/h).
Japanese OH-6
In Japan, 387 OH-6s were produced under licence by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and used at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force(JMSDF), Japan Coast Guard, and other civilian operators. Since 2001, OH-6s at JGSDF are being replaced by Kawasaki's new observation helicopter, OH-1s.
Trivia
OH-6 were used in the movie Capricorn One. Other H-6 models were used in other movies, like Blue Thunder, Outbreak, and Fire Birds. Also made famous in the television show Magnum P.I..
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