Hughes MD 500D
Hughes Helicopters · United States · first flew 1976 · helicopter
The Hughes MD 500D is a refined civil and military light helicopter developed from the OH-6A Cayuse, featuring a five-blade main rotor and more powerful Allison 250-C20B engine for improved performance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Egg-shaped fuselage with upswept tailboom |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Egg-shaped fuselage with upswept tailboom
- Five-blade main rotor and T-tail configuration
- Light turbine helicopter derived from OH-6 Cayuse
The distinctive egg-shaped pod fuselage, upswept tailboom ending in a T-tail, and five-blade main rotor are immediately recognisable. The lack of a conventional tail rotor is replaced by the small tail rotor on the T-tail horizontal stabiliser tip.
Specifications
- The Hughes MD 500D has a length of 9.4 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.03 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 282 km/h (175 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Hughes Helicopters evolved the military OH-6 design into the commercial Model 500 series in the late 1960s. The 500D variant, introduced in 1976, introduced the five-blade main rotor and T-tail for improved stability and reduced noise. It became widely used in utility, law enforcement, and light military roles.
Variants
The 500D was preceded by the 500C and followed by the 500E with a revised pointed nose. Military export versions were designated MD 500MD Defender, equipped with weapons systems for anti-armour and anti-helicopter roles.
Where you'll see it
Operated by numerous police agencies, military forces, and civil operators worldwide. The Republic of Korea Army and other armed forces used the 500MD Defender variant extensively. Civil examples remain in wide use globally.
Related aircraft
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