MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird

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MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird

The Night Stalkers’ small, agile special-operations helicopter

The MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird is a light special-operations helicopter built in the United States, in service since about 1980. Derived from the Hughes OH-6A Cayuse scout, it flies with the US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, with an armed AH-6 sibling.

United States|MD Helicopters / Boeing
282 km/hMax Speed430 kmRange1,950 kgMax Takeoff Weight2Crew6Troop CapacityIn ProductionStatus

Overview

The MH-6 traces back to the Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, a scout helicopter that first flew in 1963. In the late 1970s and early 1980s Hughes adapted the airframe for special operations, and the MH-6 and AH-6 entered service around 1980–1981. The MH-6 carries up to six troops on outboard benches, three on each side, while the AH-6 is the armed version with miniguns, rocket pods and Hellfire missiles. A single Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft of about 650 hp gives a top speed near 282 km/h.

Little Birds fly with the 160th SOAR, the Night Stalkers, which operates roughly 50 MH-6M and AH-6M aircraft (approximate). They supported Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu in 1993 and flew in Panama in 1989, Iraq and Afghanistan. MELB upgrades added a six-bladed main rotor and a quieter tail rotor, and the Army has studied replacements for the ageing fleet. The export AH-6i went to Saudi Arabia, which had ordered 24 by 2019, and MD Helicopters still builds the MD 530G/AH-6i family in Mesa, Arizona.

MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird
Photo: USASOC / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Key Specifications

ManufacturerMD Helicopters / Boeing
CountryUnited States
ManufacturerMD Helicopters
CountryUS
First Flight1963
Entered Service1980
StatusIn Production
Crew2
Troop Capacity6
Length9.8 m
Rotor Diameter8.3 m
Height2.7 m
Max Takeoff Weight1,950 kg
Engine1× Rolls-Royce 250-C30 (650 hp)
Max Speed282 km/h
Range430 km
Service Ceiling5,500 m

Variants

MH-6J

The MH-6J is an earlier special-operations transport version of the Little Bird, built on the OH-6 airframe.

MH-6M

The MH-6M is the current US Army-only insertion and extraction model with outboard benches for up to six troops.

AH-6i

The AH-6i is the export armed scout version, sold to Saudi Arabia for training and attack roles.

Operators

United StatesSaudi Arabia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MH-6 Little Bird used for?

The MH-6 Little Bird is used for fast insertion and extraction of small special-forces teams. The US Army’s Night Stalkers fly it onto rooftops and into tight urban areas, while the armed AH-6 provides close fire support.

How fast is the MH-6 Little Bird?

The MH-6 Little Bird has a top speed of about 282 km/h (152 knots). Its total range is roughly 430 km with an auxiliary tank, and its mission radius is typically 100–150 km.

How much does an MH-6 Little Bird cost?

A new MD 530 or AH-6i, the export relatives of the MH-6, costs roughly 3–5 million USD, depending on equipment (estimate). The US Army’s MH-6M is a special-operations model and no public unit price is given.

Which countries use the MH-6 Little Bird?

The MH-6M is flown only by the United States Army. Saudi Arabia operates the AH-6i export version, and related MD 500-series helicopters serve with countries such as Jordan and Colombia.

Is the MH-6 Little Bird still in production?

Yes. MD Helicopters continues to build the MD 530G and AH-6i family in Mesa, Arizona, although the MH-6M is a US Army-only variant and the Army has studied replacements.

MH-6 Little Bird vs Airbus H125M: which is better?

The MH-6 Little Bird is purpose-built for special operations, with external benches and a proven record in 160th SOAR service, while the Airbus H125M is a more general-purpose military light helicopter. They fit different roles rather than competing directly.