AH-6 and MH-6 helicopters in US special operations forces
MH-6M transport with troops on board
The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has a fairly extensive helicopter fleet. Several types of aircraft with varying characteristics and capabilities are used for various missions. The latest modifications of the AH-6 and MH-6 light helicopters occupy a prominent place in the fleet. They offer a number of important advantages that assist in performing complex missions.
Helicopters in service
All aviation USSOCOM is under the command of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), or 160 SOAR(A). The unit, also known as the Night Stalkers, comprises several squadrons with various types of equipment.
The most challenging missions in terms of payload are carried out using heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Multi-role MH-60 Black Hawks are also available. According to publicly available data, approximately 70 helicopters of each type are in service.
MH-6M Little Bird helicopters provide light and maneuverable transport for the troops. When necessary, they are provided with fire support from the standardized light AH-6M helicopters. The fleet numbers approximately fifty of these aircraft.
Armed with three types of helicopters with different characteristics, as well as various UAVs, the 160th Regiment can participate in a variety of operations. Depending on the assigned missions, its aircrew and equipment must transport soldiers from other units, support their airdrops and evacuations, provide fire support, and more.
The 160th Aviation Regiment regularly participates in various operations, including using AH/MH-6 helicopters. For example, in early January, US special operations forces participated in the seizure of the tanker Marinera. According to published materials, Little Bird helicopters were used to transport the troops to the vessel.
On a common platform
The MH-6 and AH-6 helicopters are similar and share the highest possible degree of commonality. Essentially, their differences lie only in the installation of different additional equipment packages. The "M" helicopter is designed for personnel transport, while the similar AH-6 is designed to provide fire support.
The modern AH/MH-6 variants used by special operations forces were developed by Boeing based on the MD 530 multirole helicopter. In the 2000s, a modernization project designated "M" was launched. By the middle of the following decade, all existing aircraft had been upgraded to this design, and they continue to serve in this configuration to this day.
In the early 1920s, another modernization began, with results expected by the middle of the decade or later. Another similar project is planned for the early 1930s. This will ensure the "Birds" will remain in service for several decades. Despite all the plans to modernize the helicopter fleet, USSOCOM has no plans to replace the light AH/MH-6s in the foreseeable future.
Technical features
The AH-6 and MH-6 are light helicopters of traditional design. Their distinctive feature is their reduced size, which has impacted their design, component layout, and key performance characteristics.
Both helicopters have an egg-shaped fuselage with a cockpit and space for cargo or passengers. They use a thin tubular tail boom, which supports the empennage and tail rotor gearbox. The landing gear is fixed skid-type.
This helicopter has a fuselage length of no more than 7,5 meters, or up to 10 meters including the main rotor disk. The rotor diameter is 8,35 meters. The fuselage width is only 1,4 meters. An empty MH-6 weighs approximately 720 kg. The maximum takeoff weight is almost twice that—1400 kg.
Thanks to their small size and weight, both helicopter models can be airlifted over long distances using military transport aircraft. A single C-130 can carry two AH/MH-6 helicopters. The larger C-17 can accommodate five helicopters in its cargo hold.
The latest helicopter modifications are equipped with a single Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft engine with a maximum power of 425 hp. The engine, via gearboxes, drives a six-bladed main rotor and an X-shaped tail rotor.
The AH/MH-6M can reach a top speed of over 280 km/h. Its cruising speed is 250 km/h. Its ceiling reaches 5700 m. Its range is up to 400-430 km.
Both aircraft feature a two-seat cockpit with ample glass. They utilize modern avionics, simplifying all key procedures and overall piloting. The cargo cabin can accommodate up to six people or up to 700 kg of cargo.
AH-6M fighter jets preparing for takeoff.
The Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB) avionics suite was developed specifically for special operations helicopters. Its components complement the standard avionics and simplify piloting in challenging conditions, such as at low altitude. The MELB also includes an optronic station, defense systems, and other equipment.
MH-6M helicopters are used for transporting troops. For this purpose, benches with safety harnesses are mounted on the sides of the fuselage. A FRIES-type rappel system is also provided.
The AH-6M, in turn, is used in attack and fire support roles. For this purpose, it is equipped with wings with external hardpoints. Typical armament includes rifle- or large-caliber machine guns and unguided rockets. missiles Hydra 70. It is also possible to use guided weapons in the form of AGM-114 or FIM-92 missiles.
Obvious advantages
Various modifications of the AH-6 and MH-6 helicopters have been in service for several decades, and special operations forces have no plans to abandon this type of aircraft. Moreover, new upgrades are planned to extend their service life. The reasons for this are simple. During their full-scale operation, Little Bird helicopters have proven themselves and demonstrated a number of important advantages.
First and foremost, the AH/MH-6 has a simpler design than other helicopters. This has a positive impact on production and operating costs. Even the latest modifications, with their more complex avionics suite, retain all these advantages.
Target practice using machine guns and unguided rockets
Thanks to their small size and high thrust-to-weight ratio, the Ptichka helicopters demonstrate excellent flight and maneuverability. They are capable of operating and performing missions in a variety of conditions. They can deliver or pick up troops or conduct fire over both open terrain and densely populated areas.
Despite all this, the AH-6's combat-transport or attack modification is generally on par with the heavier helicopters of the 160th Air Regiment in terms of firepower. The light helicopter can carry several machine guns and various types of missiles—this armament composition is considered optimal for the intended missions.
At the same time, the AH/MH-6 has a number of controversial features and even genuine shortcomings. Some of these can be tolerated or compensated for by proper operation and deployment. Others, however, require a radical solution, which is currently lacking.
For example, the AH/MH-6 is significantly inferior in payload weight to other helicopters operated by USSOCOM. This limits the helicopters' operational capabilities and somewhat complicates the organization of operations. However, special operations forces do not consider these limitations a problem—their lack of payload capacity is compensated for by deploying additional helicopters.
The Little Bird transport and combat versions lack ballistic protection. Helicopters are threatened not only by missiles or artillery, but also small arms weaponHowever, it is believed that proper route planning, active maneuvering, and the use of onboard defense systems can protect against fire. Furthermore, helicopters should be able to suppress any enemy attempting to fire.
An AH-6 helicopter is unloaded from a C-130 military transport aircraft.
The obsolescence of the AH/MH-6 series helicopters is a frequent complaint. This issue is being addressed by using newer versions of the platform, as well as modern onboard equipment. This is precisely the approach taken by recent modernization projects, and a similar approach will be used in future ones.
Element of the system
Thus, with a wide range of options available, USSOCOM built its helicopter fleet using aircraft of various classes. Light aircraft, capable of carrying just a few personnel but offering other advantages, played a prominent role.
AH-6 and MH-6 helicopters of various modifications are regularly used in various events and demonstrate their capabilities. They enable them to accomplish a significant portion of the tasks assigned to special operations forces. Furthermore, these helicopters make the 160th Air Regiment a more flexible and effective tool, whose capabilities fully satisfy the American command.
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