Boeing AH-6 Little Bird

The Boeing AH-6 is a series of light helicopter gunships based on the MH-6 Little Bird and MD 500 family.

Developed by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, these include the Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) demonstrator, the A/MH-6X Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB), and the proposed AH-6I and AH-6S.

Variants

Unmanned Little Bird (ULB)

UAV demonstrator

A/MH-6X Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB)

AH-6I

Version of the AH-6S for export.

AH-6S Phoenix

Proposed version of the AH-6 for the US Army’s Armed Aerial Scout program

Specifications

ULB/MD530F

Crew

1–2

Capacity

5 total

Length

32 ft 7 in (9.94 m)

Wingspan

27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)

Height

8 ft 9 in (2.48 m)

Wing area

587.5 sq ft (54.6 m2)

Empty weight

1,591 lb (722 kg)

Max take-off weight

3,550 lb (1,610 kg)

Powerplant

1 × One Allison 250-C30 turboshaft,

425 shp (317 kW) take-off power (derated)

Performance

Maximum speed

152 kn (175 mph, 282 km/h)

Cruise speed

135 kn (155 mph, 250 km/h)

Range

232 nmi (267 mi, 430 km)

Service ceiling

18,700 ft (5,700 m)

Rate of climb

2,070 ft/min (10.5 m/s)

Armament

Guns

2× 12.7 mm (.50 cal) GAU-19

Or

2× 7.62 mm (0.30 in) M134 Mini gun

Rockets

2× LAU-68D/A seven-tube rocket pods firing 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 rocket projectiles

Missiles

Anti-tank guided missile

2× AGM-114 Hellfire

Anti-air missile

2× FIM-92 Stinger for self defence.