McDonnell Douglas MD 500 Defender
The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems MD 500 Defender is a light multi-role military helicopter based on the MD Helicopters MD 500 light utility helicopter.
Design and development
The original OH-6 Cayuse helicopter proved its worth during the Vietnam War in the light helicopter role. The designers at Hughes realized there was a market for a light multi-mission helicopter with an improved equipment fit than the OH-6 and Model 500M. The resulting design was the Model 500MD Defender which first flew in 1976. It was tailored for specific roles including unarmed observation and an armed scout helicopter equipped with TOW anti-tank missiles. An anti-submarine version was developed with a search radar, magnetic anomaly detector and the capability to carry lightweight aerial torpedoes.
The helicopter was popular with customers like Kenya who could buy a capable anti-armour helicopter for less than half the cost of a gunship such as the AH-1 Cobra or the AH-64 Apache. Israel used the Defender extensively during the conflicts of the late 1970s and 1980s against Syrian armored forces.
The Defender was later built as an improved version as the MD530MG, with increased engine power, handling, avionics, and a redesigned forward fuselage. Later developments included a mast mounted sight (MMS).
Variants
- 500D Scout Defender
- Armed reconnaissance version
- 500M Defender
- Military export version of the 500 and 500C, built under licence by Kawasaki in Japan (as the OH-6J)[1] and Breda Nardi in Italy.
- 500M/ASW Defender
- Export version for the Spanish Navy.
- NH-500M Defender
- Italian-built version of the 500M Defender. Licensed by Breda Nardi before merge with Agusta.[2]
- 500MD Defender
- Military version of the 500D.
- 500MD/ASW Defender
- Maritime version of the 500MD Defender.
- 500MD/TOW Defender
- Anti-tank version of the 500MD Defender, armed with TOW anti-tank missiles.
- 500MD/MMS-TOW Defender
- Anti-tank version, fitted with a mast-mounted sight, armed with TOW anti-tank missiles.
- 500MD Quiet Advanced Scout Defender
- Fitted with noise suppression equipment.
- 500MD Defender II
- Improved version.
- 500MG Defender
- Military version of the 500E.
- 520MG Defender
- Philippine military version.
- 520MK Black Tiger
- South Korean-built military version, built by Korean Air Aerospace Division[3], Korean Air's aerospace division from 1976 to 1984 with 200 choppers made.[4] 50 were armed with TOW anti-tank missiles and 150 choppers used for transportation and support duties[4].
- 530MG Defender
- Military version of the 530F.
- MD530 Nightfox
- Night attack version.
- MD530MG Paramilitary Defender
- Police or border patrol version.
Operators
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Finland
- Iraq
- Israel
- Kenya
- South Korea
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Philippines
- Republic of China (Taiwan)
- Republic of China Navy, 12 500MD/ASW were ordered for anti-submarine warfare. 3 were lost in crashes. One additional unarmed unit was ordered as a trainer.[5]
- Spain
- South Africa
Specifications (500MD)
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
- four TOW anti-tank missiles, or
- two 7.62mm General Electric M134 Miniguns, or
- four General Dynamics Stinger air-to-air missile, or
- Mk 44 or Mk 46 lightweight torpedoes (ASW Version), or
- two seven-shot rocket pods
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
External links
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