Boeing/Hughes
AH-6 Little Bird
Role Light Observation Helicopter
Air interdiction
Forward air control
Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction
National origin United States
Manufacturer Hughes Helicopters
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems
MD Helicopters
First flight 27 February 1963
Introduction 1980
Status In service
Primary user United States ArmyDeveloped from Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
Variants Boeing AH-6
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History Boeing
Boeing/Hughes
AH-6 Little Bird
The Boeing MH-6M Little Bird (nicknamed the Killer Egg) and its attack variant, the AH-6, are light helicopters used for special operations in the United States Army. Originally based on a modified OH-6A, it was later based on the MD 500E, with a single five-bladed main rotor. The newest version, the MH-6M, is based on the MD 530F and has a single, six-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor.
The OH-6 was started in 1960, when the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) that could perform personnel transport, escort and attack missions, casualty evacuation, and observation. Twelve companies took part in the competition and Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division submitted the Model 369. Two designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board, but the Army later included the helicopter from Hughes as well.
This agile, unarmed helicopter is outfitted with outboard "benches" designed to ferry up to three commandos on each side. There is also a gunship variant, the AH-6. Painted black for nighttime operations, this small aircraft can conduct rapid insertions and extractions of special operations forces into areas its larger brother, the MH-60 Black Hawk, cannot..0
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Boeing/Hughes
AH-6 Little Bird
"Killer Egg"
Boeing/Hughes AH-6 Little Bird
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: up to 6 passengers for MH-6 / 1,509 lb (684 kg)
- Length: 32 ft 7.2 in (9.936 m) including rotors
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- 24 ft 7.2 in (7.50 m) fuselage only
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- Width: 4 ft 7.2 in (1.402 m)
- Height: 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)
Powerplant
- Empty weight: 1,591 lb (722 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: (1,406 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 62 US gal (52 imp gal; 235 L) / 403 lb (183 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Allison T63-A-5A or T63-A-700 turboshaft engine, 425 hp (317 kW) for take-off (de-rated)
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- 375 shp (280 kW) at maximum continuous rpm
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- Main rotor diameter: (8.352 m)
- Main rotor area: (54.61 m2)
Specifications
- Maximum speed: 282 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 250 km/h)
- Range: 232 nmi (267 mi, 430 km) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m)
- Service ceiling: (5,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,061 ft/min (10.47 m/s)
Armament
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- Guns:
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- 2× 12.7×99mm (.50 BMG) GAU-19; or
- 2× 7.62×51mm NATO M134 Minigun
- Rockets:
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- 2× LAU-68D/A 7-tubes rocket pods firing 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket projectiles
- Missiles:
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- 4× AGM-114 Hellfire or
- 4× FIM-92 Stinger
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Links to Youtube & Others
The OH-6s of 160th SOAR saw overt combat action for the first time in Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury on the Oct. 25, 1983.
Boeing Hughes
AH-6 Little Bird
Operation Credible Sport was a joint project of the U.S. military in the second half of 1980 to prepare for a second rescue attempt of the hostages held in Iran.
Youtube Link
The OH-6s of 160th SOAR saw overt combat action for the first time in Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury on the Oct. 25, 1983.
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