The Hughes OH-6 was originally designed to meet the needs of the US Army's Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) competition, but it gave rise to a large family of commercial, corporate, and private helicopters. The OH-6A Cayuse first flew on February 27, 1963 and defeated the Bell YOH-4 (which eventually became the Bell 206 the most successful commercial helicopter ever made) and the Hiller YOH-5 (FH-1100).
Light, nimble, and easily maintained, the MD500, as it became most known, is designed to carry four or more passengers in a small but comfortable cabin.
Many different versions have been built for both the military (Series 369) and civil markets (Series 500) for a variety of missions and requirements. Was built under license in Argentina by RACA, in Japan by Kawasaki, in South Korea by Korean Air and in Italy by Breda Nardi.
In 1966, it established a new record of major distance in a straight line for an helicopter: 3561 Km / 2212 m.
Produced by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems from 1984, and MD Helicopters from 1999
Light, nimble, and easily maintained, the MD500, as it became most known, is designed to carry four or more passengers in a small but comfortable cabin.
Many different versions have been built for both the military (Series 369) and civil markets (Series 500) for a variety of missions and requirements. Was built under license in Argentina by RACA, in Japan by Kawasaki, in South Korea by Korean Air and in Italy by Breda Nardi.
In 1966, it established a new record of major distance in a straight line for an helicopter: 3561 Km / 2212 m.
Produced by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems from 1984, and MD Helicopters from 1999
369 / 500 / H-6 News | |
 |
 |
Derivatives & Versions | |
| Model | Year | History |
| OH-6A Cayuse | 1963 | Winner of the US Army Light Observation Helicopter competition, eventually in May 1965, against the Bell OH-4 and the Hiller OH-5. An initial Ar ...  |
| 369A | 1965 | |
 KHI 369HS | 1965 | |
| 369HE | 1969 | |
| 369HM | 1969 | |
| 369HS | 1969 | |
| 369C / 500C | 1970 | |
| Breda Nardi NH500 | 1970 | |
| 369D / 500D | 1975 | 369 military and 500 civilian variants. 500MD Defender variant was equipped with TOW missiles |
| 369E / 500E | 1982 | Pointed nose and various interior improvements. Built by Hughes between 1982-1984. Then as McDonnell Douglas MD500E.
369 Military and 500E civ ... |
| Mc.D.D md500 | 1984 | Aircraft produced by McDonnell Douglas between 1984 and 1997. See Hughes and MD Helicopters for others |