OH-6 Cayuse - Definition

MH-6 Little Bird
MH-6 Little Bird helicopter
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		2.6m
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
Ferry range	miles	km
Service ceiling	ft	4,875 m
Rate of climb	ft/min	63 m/min
Wing loading	lb/ft²	kg/m²
Thrust/Weight
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, missles 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).