AH-6 Little Bird

The AH-6/MH-6 "Little Bird" forms an oft-overlook yet wholly vital part of American Special Operations services. This highly maneuverable and diminutive machine has taken part in both major and minor military operations the world over and has proven something of a lifeline to those ground-based operatives whose very lives depend on the actions of the Little Birds and her trained crews. The Little Bird was introduced in 1980 as a modified form of the Vietnam-era OH-6 Cayuse and has continually seen direct action since her inception.

ountry of Origin:United States
Manufacturer:Hughes / McDonnell Douglas / Boeing / MD Helicopters - USA
Initial Year of Service:1980
Production:40

Focus Model:Hughes / MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird
Crew:2 + 6

Length:32.15ft (9.8m)
Width:27.23ft (8.30m)
Height:9.84ft (3.00m)
Weight (Empty):1,592lbs (722kg)
Weight (MTOW):3,100lbs (1,406kg)

Powerplant:1 x Allison T63-A-5A OR T63-A-700 turboshaft engine delivering up to 650 horsepower to a six-blade main rotor and a 4-blade tail rotor.

Maximum Speed:175mph (282kmh; 152kts)
Maximum Range:267miles (430km)
Service Ceiling:18,701ft (5,700m; 3.5miles)
Rate-of-Climb:2,061 feet per minute (628m/min)

Hardpoints:2
Armament Suite:
Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following combinations across two mounting stations (AH-6):

1 x 30mm M230 Chaingun
2 x 7.62mm M134 Miniguns
2 x 12.7mm GAU-19 Gatling guns
2 x M261 7-shot rocket pods (2.75" Hydra 70 rockets).
2 x AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles

2 x TOW anti-tank missiles
2 x Stinger short-range, air-to-air missiles