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The Hughes Model 369 prototype won the US Army's Light Observation Helicopter contest against Bell and Hiller helicopters, and was ordered into large-scale production.
Hugh’s anticipated 4000 sales, however production was curtailed at 1,434 units when costs rose and production rate fell.
First flown in February 1963, the OH-6A Cayuse was the principal production version and entered service in September 1966, and established 23 world records for speed, distance and altitude.
The Army’s OH-6A Cayuse two-seat light observation helicopter was the company’s longest-running helicopter program and during the Vietnam conflict, as many as 100 OH-6s were built a month. The Cayuse proved well suited to the Vietnam War, where it flew armed missions with a multi-barrel machine gun or 40-mm grenade launcher.
OH-6D
Hughes produced an improved version of the Cayuse with more advanced electronics and heavier armament and designated OH-6D. Some OH-6A helicopters were upgraded to the OH-6D standard.
Model 500
The OH-6 was exported as the Model 500, which could be configured in any of several armed forms. It’s versatility has meant it has been employed in such diverse fields as law enforcement to executive transport. An improved Model 530 was developed by McDonnell Douglas Helicopters, as Hughes Helicopters became in January 1984.
Principal versions
OH-6A (initial production model), OH-6D (improved version), Model 500 Defender (export version of the OH-6A with better sensor and armament options), Model 530 Defender (variant with refined aerodynamics and more power), and AH-6 (Model 530 version for US Special Forces).
The NOTAR® (no tail rotor) concept, using compressed air to offset torque instead of a conventional tail rotor, was pioneered in the MD-520N. A NOTAR version of the heavy-lift Model 530 became the MD-530N.
Principal users
Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, Greece, Haiti, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania, Nicaragua, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and USA.
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United States of America
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Feb. 27, 1963
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September 1966
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1,434
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Model 500: One 317-shaft-horsepower (236-kW) Allison T63-A-5A derated to 252 shp
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OH-6A: one 317-shp (236-kW) Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft derated to 215 shp (160 kW).
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Top speed: 147 mph Range: 585,000 pound
Performance: maximum speed 150 mph (241 km/ h) at sea level; initial climb rate 1,840 ft (561 m) per
minute; service ceiling 15,800 ft (4,815 m); range
413 miles (665 km).
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empty 1,156 Ib (524 kg); maximum take- off 2,700 lb (1,225 kg)
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Rotor diameter: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m); Length: 23 ft; length overall, rotors turning 30 ft 9.5 in (9.39 m); height 8 ft 1.5 in (2.48 m); main rotor disc area 544.63 sq ft (50.60 m2).
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four passengers or freight
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www.boeing.com
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![OH-6A Cayuse [Boeing.com]](../assets/images/hugh500_hist188b.jpg)
