The AH-6J and MH-6J Little Bird (dubbed the "Killer Egg"), are produced specifically for the Special Operations Forces. The Little Bird is flown by units of the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) at Fort Campbell. The AH-6 assault variant can carry a pod on either side of the fuselage fitted with various guns, missiles or rockets. In lieu of pods, the MH-6 troop ship variant is rigged with exterior benches on both sides of the cabin for carrying up to six men, three on each side and can cruise at speeds of 160 mph (257 km/h). Variants of this helicopter were used by American Ranger and Delta forces during the Battle of Mogadishu, as chronicled by Mark Bowden in the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.

The NOTAR no-tail-rotor version is popular with law enforcement because of its very low noise levels. Instead of an anti-torque tail rotor, a fan exhaust is directed out slots in the tail boom, using the Coanda effect for yaw control.

General Characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 30 ft 10 in - 32 ft 2 in (9.4 m - 9.8 m)
  • Rotor diameter: ()
  • Height: 8 ft 6 in - 11 ft 2 in (2.6 m - 3.4 m)
  • Empty weight: 1,975 lbs (896 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,549 lbs (1,610 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× One Allison T63-A-5A or T63-A-700 Turboshaft, 317 hp (236 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 152 knots (175 mph, 282 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 135 knots (155 mph, 250 km/h)
  • Range: 267 miles (430 km)
  • Service ceiling: 15,994 ft (4,875 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,067 ft/min (10.5 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: Two M-60 or M134 Minigun 7.62 mm Chaingun / machine gun; Two .50 cal (12.7 mm) MG pods
  • Rockets: Two 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket pods
  • Missiles: Two TOW missile pods; Two Hellfire

                               

Video

 

 

                                           

                        
 
 


 

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