HUGHES HELICOPTERS

USA

Known formerly as the Hughes Tool Company, became a Division of the Summa Corporation in the early 1970s. Hughes first two-seat light helicopter, the Model 269, first flew in 1955. It continued in production, though muchmodified, as the Hughes 300. Production of the 0H-6A Cayuse turbine helicopter for the U.S. Army and other military forces led to the commercial Model 500 one/sevenseat light helicopter, with military variants in the Defender series. Hughes won the U.S. Army's competition for an Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) with its Model 77, a twin-turbine design which first flew in September 1975, and which received the Army designation YAH-64 Apache. Also developed the unique NOTAR (no tail rotor) anti-torque system, initially tested on a converted 0H-6A in December 1981. Company taken over by McDonnell Douglas January 1984.


Back to the letter H


All the World's Rotorcraft


Virtual Aircraft Museum