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Military


OH-6A Cayuse
AH-6J Little Bird
Defender 500

Specifications
Variants in "( )"
Country of Origin USA
Builder McDONNELL DOUGLAS
RoleASW, scout, antitank, multimission
Similar AircraftBO 105, Alouette II
Blades Main rotor: 4 or 5 (see VARIANTS)
Tail rotor: 2 or 4 (see VARIANTS)
Rotor diameter 26 ft, 4 in (8 m)
Length Length (rotors turning): 9.4 m (500), 9.8 m (530)
Length (fuselage): 7.6 m (500), 7.3 m (530)
Height 2.6 m (500), 3.4 m (530 over mast-mounted sight)
Width 1.9 m
Rotor Diameter Main Rotor Diameter: 8.0 (500), 8.3 (530)
Tail Rotor Diameter: 1.4
Cargo Compartment Dimensions Floor Length: 2.4 m
Width: 1.3 m
Height: 1.5 m
Weight Maximum Gross: 1,361 kg (500), 1,610 kg (530)
Normal Takeoff: 1,090 kg
Empty: 896 kg
Engine one 317 shp Allison T63-A-5A or T63-A-700 turboshaft engine, derated to 252.5 shp
Fuel Internal: 240 liters
Internal Aux Tank: 80 liters
Speed Maximum (level): 241 km/h (500), 282 km/h (530)
Cruise: 221 km/h (500), 250 km/h (530)
Range Normal Load (est.): 485 km (500), km 430 (530)
Ceiling Service: 4,635 m (500), 4,875 m (530)
Hover (out of ground effect): 1,830 m (500), 3,660 m (530)
Hover (in ground effect): 2,590 m (500), 4,360 m (530)
Vertical Climb Rate 8.4 m/s (500), 10.5 m/s (530)
Standard Payload Internal load: INA
External load: 550 kg
Transports 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally, or 6 on external platforms in lieu of weapons.
Armament
  • 2 - M134 7.62-mm 6x barrel, Gatling type twin MG pods
  • 2 - M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each)
  • 2 - .50 cal MG pods
  • 2 - M75 40-mm grenade launchers
  • 2 - MK19 40-mm grenade launcher
  • 2 - TOW missile pods (2 each)
  • 2 - Hellfire ATGM
  • 2 - Stinger AAM

    Most Probable Armament

  • MD-500MD/Scout Defender: Fitted with guns, rockets, grenade launchers, or a combination on 2x fuselage hardpoints.
  • MD-500MD/TOW Defender: Twin TOW missile pods on 2x fuselage hardpoints; mounts missile sight in lower-left front windshield.
    • Survivability
  • Some models have radar warning receivers.
  • Chaff and flare systems available.
  • Infrared signature suppressors can be mounted on engine exhausts.
    • AVIONICS
  • The MD-500 allows for the mounting of a stabilized, direct-view optical sight in the windshield. Options exist to fit a mast-mounted, multiple field of view optical sight, a target tracker, a laser rangefinder, thermal imager, a 16x FLIR for night navigation and targeting, and autopilot.
  • Optional avionics include GPS, ILS and full instrument weather conditions packages. The more advanced variants are fully capable of performing all missions under any conditions.
    • Crew 1 or 2 (pilots)
    Cost
    User CountriesAt least 22 countries -- Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, USA
  • Some 200 McDonnell Douglas 500-MD helicopters were produced under license by Korean Air between 1976 and 1984. At least fifty of these helicopters were equipped with TOW antitank weapons. The remainder were used as transports and for other support missions.
  • North Korea acquired at least 60 Defender 500 helicopters during the mid- 1980s, reportedly through US dealers.



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    Page last modified: 07-07-2011 02:34:41 ZULU