369D / 500D

369 military and 500 civilian variants. 500MD Defender variant was equipped with TOW missiles.

The Hughes 500D was the first major civilian variant in the Hughes 500 family to feature a five-blade main rotor, a T-tail, and a more powerful Allison 250-C20B engine, making it significantly more capable than earlier versions.

Originally flying in prototype form in August 1974, the 500D entered production in 1976 and brought major performance and handling improvements thanks to the new rotor design and upgraded power plant.

With its compact yet robust design, the 500D was popular for utility operations in tight or mountainous environments and its maneuverability and ability to land on slopes made it a go-to platform for aerial work.