AH / MH-6J    "Little Bird"

Above: MH-6J 'Little Bird'

Hot Link

A/MH-6 Mission Enhancement Little Bird (MELB)

and

Acid Gambit: Delta Force Rescue of Kurt Muse

Overview 

Provided courtesy of Tracy White.

The Hughes H-6 series helicopter is the US Army's primary special operations Light attack and cargo aircraft. The Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's aircraft are descendants of the Army's original OH-6 which was used as a light scout and utility helicopter in the Vietnam War. Although the Army's official name for the H-6 is "Cayuse" (named after an Indian tribe that lived in the Oregon Territory), the aircraft is almost universally known as the Little Bird.

The Special operations history of the Little Bird dates back to the early 1980s, when after the failed rescue attempt in Iran in 1980, the US Army began to test and experiment with airborne special operations. Task Force 158 was formed to develop procedures and tactics; and in doing so they chose different airframes to test and use. One of these was the OH-6 scout aircraft, a fast and maneuverable helicopter developed by Hughes to serve as a light scout that could be armed with a small gatling gun for offensive capabilities as well. 

The OH-6 proved to be a stable platform and well suited for the special operations world, being small, quite, and having a larger load than its size would suggest. Early models were used as "slick" troops ships but weapons were mounted as well, so that the littlebirds could not only provide a ride into the target but could also supply air support for ground troops.

There are two main versions of the H-6 today, the AH-6J attack variant and the MH-6J troop ship. The versions used today are based on the Civilian 500/530 series of helicopter built by Hughes and then McDonnell Douglas. The 500/530 features a more powerful engine and can be distinguished by its five bladed main rotor and "T" shaped tail. This increased power and better design allows the aircraft to carry more weight and handle better; the MH-6 has been known to carry up to eight soldiers outside the aircraft sitting on a specially made plank seat that can be folded in and out of the aircraft in seconds.

In addition to the specially built plank, the MH-6 can be outfitted with equipment for STABO and Fastrope insertions, and a hoist can be fitted if needed. Specially built motorcycle racks were designed and built that allows a MH-6 to insert or pick up two motorcycles and their operators. The MH-6 also carries a broad array of communications gear, including SATCOM, FM, UHF, VHF, and Motorola Saber; all of which are capable of secure operations. A FLIR system is available and the cockpit is compatible with NVG's for nighttime use. In addition the aircraft is equipped with the APR 39 radar warning receiver to warn the crew of incoming missiles or lock-ons by enemy forces.

The AH-6 is outfitted much like the MH-6, but instead of the plank with seats a plank for mounting weapons is installed. Instead of the single 7.62 minigun carried by the OH-6, two miniguns are mounted and fed by a large magazine located in the aft cabin. 2.75" folding-fin aerial rockets (FFAR) can also be carried in either two 7-rocket tubes or two 19-rocket launchers. In some special cases AGM-114 Hellfire missiles can be carried or the Gatling guns substituted with .50-calibre heavy machine guns or MK 19 Automatic grenade launchers.

Planned upgrades for the Little Birds have apparently only partially happened. A new main rotor and 4-bladed tail rotor designed to increase maneuverability and decrease noise have not surfaced, although a newly redesigned plank system has appeared. A newer, more powerful engine coupled with a stronger transmission were also planned but have not visibly appeared (although it is difficult to see items INSIDE of aircraft so this may have already happened).

Web Pages

Night Stalkers - Unofficial Home Page

MH-6J Little Bird - Special Operations.Com

AH-6J Little Bird - Special Operations.Com

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)

Early Contingencies - MH-6s in Operation Just Cause

Little Bird Fan Page - Lots of info

Hughes AH-6 "Little Bird" -All the info you'll need

Hughes MH-6 "Little Bird" -Ditto

Boeing Sikorsky Submits Bid On Major U.S. Special Operations Command Contract

Boeing Sikorsky Names Team Members For Bid On Major U. S. Special Operations Command Contract

Here's some info on the OH-6, father of today's Little Birds.

Back to U.S. Special Operations Aircraft

Back to Special Operations.Com Home Page