Group : Civil Helicopters
Status : Active
Also Known As : AH-6C Little Bird, AH-6M MELB, AH-6X, Cayuse Warrior Plus, Hughes 500, LOCH (Low Observation Command Helicopter), MD 500E, MD 500M, MD 500MD Defender, MD 500MG, MD 520N, MD 530F, MD 530G Block II, MD 530MG, MD-530 Little Bird, MH-6B, MH-6J, MH-6M Mission Enhanced Little Bird, MH-6X, OH-6 Cayuse, OH-6A, OH-6D, OH-6J, ULB, Unmanned Little Bird
Origin : United States of America
Contractor : MD Helicopters
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1963
Total Production : 2,793

MD 500 is a family of light, single-engine helicopters available for both civil and military operators. It was developed in the early 1960s to meet the requirements of the US Army for an observation helicopter. MD 500 outfitted as an observation helicopter was designated the OH-6 Cayuse or Loch and was widely deployed during the Vietnam war. Several thousands MD 500 helicopters were produced for the Army and international customers.

OH-6 helicopter can be equipped with guns, air-to-air missiles, anti-armor missiles, and rocket and grenade launchers. It is powered by an Allison T63 turboshaft rated at 253-shp. Overall, OH-6 was compact and maneuverable with a cabin capacity for up to four passengers (typically two) and a two-man crew. The armed variant of OH-6 is known as the AH-6 Little Bird. MH-6 are cargo/utility variants. Latest versions are known as the MD 500/MD 530 series helicopters and feature more powerful engines and improved avionics.

Group : Attack Helicopters
Status : Cancelled
Origin : United States of America
Contractor : MD Helicopters
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2013
First Flight : 2012
Total Production : ?

The MD-540F is an upgraded version of the MD-530F single-engine, armed scout helicopter optimized for hot and high altitude environments. The upgraded rotary-wing aircraft features a six-bladed, fully articulated rotor blade system made up entirely of composite material, and a more rugged landing skid built for heavier take-off and landing weights. Besides, the aircraft is fitted with new avionics, a fully integrated digital glass cockpit, a FLIR and a new weapons package. Information will be displayed to the pilots on large, easy to read, multi-function color displays, and directly onto the pilot’s eyes using a sophisticated Helmet Display and Tracking System (HDTS). The weapon options include: unguided rockets, guns, laser guided rockets and Hellfire missiles. MD Helicopters Inc was unveiled in early April 2012 with the aircraft to be certified in the first quarter of 2013.

The armament options of the MD-540F helicopter will allow the destruction of hostile armored vehicles and personnel from safe ranges with little collateral damage.