Boeing AH-6 Little Bird

Summary

Category Helicopter
Origin country πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States
First flight27 February 1963
Year of introduction1980
Number produced1420 units

Description

The Boeing AH-6 Little Bird is a light helicopter primarily used by the United States military for reconnaissance and light attack missions. Developed as a variant of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, the Little Bird underwent modifications by Boeing to enhance its performance and versatility. It possesses a compact design, allowing it to operate in narrow urban environments and perform low-level flight maneuvers effectively. The helicopter is equipped with advanced avionics systems and powerful engines, providing it with agility and speed. The AH-6 Little Bird is frequently deployed by Special Operations Forces for various missions, including close air support, intelligence gathering, and direct action operations.

Technical specifications

Version: OH-6A Cayuse
Crew2 members
Maximum speed 282 km/h (175 mph)
Height2.6 m (8.6 ft)
Length9.2 m (30.1 ft)
Service ceiling4877 m (16001 ft)
Empty weight896 kg (1975 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight1610 kg (3549 lbs)
Climb rate10.5 m/s (34.4 ft/s)
Powerplant1 Γ— turbine Allison T63-A5-A delivering 239 kW

Current operating countries

Country Units
Thailand Thailand 8
Jordan Jordan 0 (+18)

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Denmark β€’ Dominican Republic β€’ Jordan β€’ Nicaragua β€’ Thailand β€’ Taiwan β€’ United States

Photo of AH-6 Little Bird

Photo of AH-6 Little Bird