Combines a deep fuselage with a short-looking horizontal tail boom set high under the main rotor; large airscoop in front of the rotor drive shaft. Rear passenger-door window is much smaller than the one in the pilot's door. The largest model (LSB, illustrated) has a cabin that is a foot longer than standard, and has a third small side window. Small "end-plate fins" on horizontal stabilizer. When the aircraft is stopped, note the non-drooping, rigid rotors.

This German invention (MBB stands for Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm) is manufactured in Canada as well as in Germany. The rigid main rotors can be pitched to push the craft down (other helicopters can rise or sink, but not achieve negative g), making it capable of ground-hugging flight in combat, less sensitive to downdrafts, and quicker when moving from assigned altitude to ground level. Many in air ambulance and search-and-rescue use.