MD 500 Defender
Hughes Helicopters / McDonnell Douglas · United States · first flew 1976 · helicopter
The MD 500 Defender is the military development of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, a compact light helicopter optimised for armed reconnaissance, anti-tank, and liaison missions. Its small size and agility made it effective for nap-of-the-earth tactics.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small teardrop-shaped light attack helicopter
- Optional stub wings for TOW missile carriage
- Five-blade main rotor with distinctive quiet noise signature
A very compact egg-shaped helicopter with a five-blade main rotor, a small fenestron-style or conventional tail rotor, and the ability to carry stub wings with TOW missiles; far smaller than the UH-1.
Specifications
- The MD 500 Defender has a length of 7.1 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.05 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 281 km/h (175 mph).
- Typical crew: 1–2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Building on the civilian MD 500 and military OH-6A, Hughes Helicopters developed the Defender specifically for export military markets, with a TOW missile system and optional mast-mounted sight. It has been sold to numerous countries and remains in production under MD Helicopters. Some operators configured it as an HOT or Stinger-armed variant.
Variants
The 500MD/TOW Defender carries anti-tank missiles; the 500MD/MMS Defender added a mast-mounted sight; the 530MG Defender introduced more power.
Where you'll see it
Widely exported to military forces across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa; Israel, South Korea, and Kenya are among noted operators.
Related aircraft
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