When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or the M129 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. Heavy Attack Helicopters 2. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. | READ MORE. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. This helicopter was chosen by the US Army over the proposals of a number of other helicopter manufactures, designated the OH-6A Cayuse, and entered service in 1965. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Your email address will not be published. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. In support of the Helicopter Flight Mechanics syllabus, the USNTPS operates surplus Army OH-6B Helicopters which were refurbished by the Army National Guard, Gulfport, Mississippi in 1991. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft were returned to the U.S., where they were dismantled and converted back to a standard configuration; they continued to be operated as such for a time. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. [10][self-published source][11], Due to price escalations for both the OH-6 and spare components, the U.S. Army opted to reopen bids for the programme in 1967. These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. This helicopter was UNK Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOHLight Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) Advertising Notice The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. The Kaman SH-2 could extend and increase both shipboard sensor and weapon abilities against different types of enemy units, including submarines, ships, and patrol craft with anti-ship missiles. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. One of the most dangerous helicopter assignments was a tiny scout helicopter known as the Loach. Officially designated the OH-6 Cayuse, these things were made of thin plexiglass and metal but were expected to fly low over the jungles and grass, looking for enemy forces hiding in the foliage. [2] This shaping, combined with the provision of internal bulkheads, has been attributed as giving the rotorcraft its uncommonly strong crashworthiness properties. A.J. The U.S. Marine Corps still flies AH-1 SuperCobras as its main attack helicopter, with the latest versionthe AH-1Z Viper so upgraded and modernized that a Vietnam-era pilot might be hard-pressed to recognize it. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. The Cayuse (white) was used alongside the AH-1 Cobra (red) attack helicopters, forming (pink) hunter killer teams. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. OH-6A/MD-530F Super Cayuse/Lifter: Upgraded engine to a 425-shp Allison 250- C30 turboshaft, and avionics in 1988 for the US Army. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) The "OH-6C" was the creation of the Maintenance Section of The Real Cav, B Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron, which was stationed near Pleiku in early 1972. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). The OH-6D was an improved version with more advanced electronics and heavier armament. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. Las mejores ofertas para Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp (ingls) Paperb estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. The Army dictated that after 300 hours of flight time, each Loach go through a thorough inspection, but in practice such inspections were rare: Few Loaches survived to reach that mark. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. The OH-6A Cayuse fulfilled this role and became known as the Little Bird. The pilots tasked with operating the choppers were selected from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion. His three tours to Vietnam included death-defying scouting missions piloting his Hughes OH-6 light observation helicopter (or Loach) as well as gunship runs inside his AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.. Cozzalio was also involved in nine aircraft mishaps; he was shot down six times and suffered three hard landings. Helicopter took 1 hits from: They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. This was a Combat incident. Kane and Casher were pulled aboard and returned to Khe Sanh, but the Huey barely made it back; slicing trees had left its blades shredded, and the tail section had almost separated. The Vietnam War saw the extensive use of helicopters, though were mostly by the United States military. During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. [22][23] Prior to the arrival of the AH-1, "hunter-killer" teams often relied on the firepower from armed models of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. Light Attack Helicopters 3. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. The Gyrodyne company built the Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) to combat submarines from a distance. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Instead of disbanding Task Force 158, the military opted to turn it into the 160th Aviation Battalion. The OH-6A helicopters used for transporting personnel became the MH-6 aircraft of the Light Assault Company and the armed OH-6As became the AH-6 aircraft of the Light Attack Company. Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. FAQ | During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. s/n 66-07841. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. When the 1980 hostage situation of Operation Eagle Claw was deemed a disaster, the US military realized there was a lack of aircraft and personnel trained for such special operations. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a light helicopter with a single engine and a four-bladed main rotor. Date: 02/08/1969 Both the Pilot and Observer/Gunner positions were equipped with carbon fiber side panels and seats. Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. [2] Twelve companies opted to participate in the competition, Hughes Tool Company's Aircraft Division being one of them, submitted the Model 369 as its response. The Cayuse was organic to division, brigade, and battalion size units. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Provision for packaged armament on port side, including an XM-27 7.62mm (0.300in) machine-gun with 2,000 - 4,000 rounds of ammunition; or an XM-75 grenade launcher, Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Task Force 160, List of military aircraft of the United States, Hearings on military posture and H.R. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. We were combat trackers, says Mills. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. Pilot sold separately. It never flew again. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Vietnam Helicopters Museum. We were about ready to call in tactical air support to blow up the wrecked ship when another Cobra took a lot of fire. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . The four-passenger teardrop shaped "Flying egg" (six-passenger with rear seats folded-down) was a small, light, sturdy, maneuverable helicopter, with very low drag. With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. To remedy this shortcoming, the Army began developing a special aviation task force to prepare for the next attempt to rescue the hostages: Operation Honey Badger. In one particular clandestine incident in 1972, known as the Vinh wiretap, a pair of OH-6As were heavily modified and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America was used to infiltrate Vietnamese high level communications, providing valuable intelligence. The OH-6 Cayuse, by this point known as the Loach helicopter, made its way to Vietnam in December 1967. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. You were right in the enemys face with a helicopter and had to know what you were doing, recalls warrant officer Clyde Romero of his 1,100 hours flying scout missions over South Vietnam in 1971. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. After evaluation, three designs were selected and 5 of each: the Bell OH-4A; the Hiller OH-5 and the Hughes OH-6, were ordered for trials by the U.S.Army Aviation Board. Army troops called the OH-6As Loaches, a contraction of light observation helicopters. The ship was unusually light and had plenty of power, perfect for flying nap-of-the-earth missions, and its 26-foot-diameter main rotor made getting into tight landing zones a snap. The OH-6 was largely removed from active U.S. Army service in favor of the Kiowa, but modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008. But the light aluminum skin could be easily pierced by rifle bullets, and it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash, and a strong structural truss protected critical systemslike the people inside. Its cockpit teems with electronics and sensors, and its stub wings are heavy with heat-seeking Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, laser-guided Hellfires, rockets (like those used in Vietnam), and even fuel-filled drop tanks. I have come home with blood on my windshield. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. Kiowas, largely relegated to low-threat cargo and liaison missions in Vietnam, were after the war tasked to spot targets from afar and guide Cobras (and later, Boeing AH-64 Apaches) to good firing spots. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. [17] On 26 March 1966, Jack Schwiebold set the closed circuit distance record in a YOH-6A at Edwards Air Force Base, California, flying without landing for 1,739.96mi (2,800.20km). Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. Scout pilots were a different breed of cat, says Cobra pilot Jim Kane, who likens his former colleagues to the airborne equivalent of the Tunnel Rats, soldiers who crawled head-first into Viet Cong-built tunnels without any idea what awaited them there. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. Missions began every day at dawn, when crews were briefed on where to fly and what to look for. The US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains and graduates qualified engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation (T & E) at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River Maryland and other activities. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams, combining the OH-6A Loach (white team) with a AH-1G Cobra atacke helicopter (red team). Accordingly, the U.S. Army's fixed-wing airplane, the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, which was utilized for artillery observation and reconnaissance flights, would be replaced by the incoming OH-6A. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. This was a Combat incident. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. Trademarks and copyright information is respected. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. These hunter-killer missions, among the most hazardous of the Vietnam War, tested the resolve of the OH-6 pilots and the aerial observers sitting beside them. Armament In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like cabin, improving the survival chances of the crew and passengers. . Unit: 173 ABN Ace Cozzalio was among the most colorful characters of the Vietnam War. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. [22] Its straightforward design made it easier to maintain than most other helicopters, while its relatively compact 26-foot main rotor made it easier to use tight landing zones. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. While barely any American helicopters served in World War II and few flew in Korea, Vietnam was a proving ground for many airframes everything from the venerable Huey to Chinooks sporting huge guns. It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. In this theatre, it was commonly operated in teams with other rotorcraft, such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, using so-called "hunter-killer" tactics to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets; the OH-6 would act as bait to draw enemy fire and mark targets for other platforms such as the AH-1 to attack. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. 2 Stinger AAM. [6], During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded a production contract to Hughes; this initial order for 714 rotorcraft was subsequently increased to 1,300 along with an option for another 114. Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Fewer than 2,000 of the type were produced though the original went on to spawn a plethora of viable performers including the Hughes 500 "Defender" and the special forces-minded MH-6 "Little Bird". Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme that it was procured under. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. The observers and gunners had even less experience. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. As of 2021, these records still stand. We operated from fixed bases that were islands, if you will, of allied control, says Hugh Mills, who flew both Loaches and Cobras in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972, and went on to fly helicopters for the Kansas City Police Department. The Cobra was fast and deadly. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. Terms of Use Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract. 2 .50 cal MG pods [27] During June 1972, they were deployed to a secret base in southern Laos (PS-44), where one of the helicopters was heavily damaged during a training mission late in the summer. Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . [14][15], During 1966, the OH-1 entered service with the U.S. Army. External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. All Rights Reserved. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: Your Privacy Rights 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. s/n 67-16304 Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. Following a competitive fly-off and a sealed bidding process, Hughes lost the contract to Bell, resulting in the competing Bell OH-58 Kiowa being produced. In 1965, the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. Stanley Hiller complained to the U.S. Army that Hughes had used unethical procedures; therefore, the Army opened the contract for rebidding by all parties. [4] The prototypes were delivered to the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they competed against the other ten prototype aircraft produced by Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 The Mojave is a large heavy-lift helicopter that was deployed in the Vietnam War in 1965 to assist in recovery of downed US aircraft, but it proved ineffective. Cookie Settings, pilot. I was wounded three times and shot down nine times, Romero reports. The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. Two (2) Crew: one Pilot, one Observer/Doorgunner. While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. 2 M75 40-mm grenade launchers The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The Sea Knight is a medium left-tandem rotor helicopter used for transport. A total of five prototypes were built, all of which were powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft engine, capable of producing 252shp (188kW). Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. The SeaCobra was a twin-engine attack helicopter that was developed from the single-engine AH-1 Cobra helicopter. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please Each could be equipped with any number of armaments, including grenade launchers, 7.62 mm miniguns, Hydra 70 mm unguided rockets, and TOW and Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. We were so close to the elephant grass that wed blow the grass apart to see if anyone was hiding in there, observer Bob Moses says. The OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work. Required fields are marked *. [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. A little gory but thats how close we were. As the Loach flew among the trees, the rear-seat pilot in the Snake circling above kept a close eye on the little scout and the front-seat gunner jotted down whatever the Loach observers radioed. On the night of 56 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found.