MD Helicopters MD-500/530
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeLight utility helicopters
- Powerplants500C - One 207kW (278shp) Allison 250-C20 turboshaft driving a four blade main rotor and two blade tail rotor. MD-530F - One 280kW (375shp) max cont rated Rolls-Royce 250-C30 driving a five blade main rotor and two or optionally four blade tail rotor.
- Performance500C - Max cruising speed 232km/h (125kt), long range cruising speed 217km/h (117kt). Initial rate of climb 1700ft/min. Hovering ceiling in ground effect 13,000ft. Range 605km (325nm). MD-530F - Max cruising speed 249km/h (135kt), economical cruising speed 228km/h (123kt). Initial rate of climb 2070ft/min. Service ceiling 18,700ft. Range with standard fuel and no reserves 429km (232nm).
- Weights500C - Empty 493kg (1088lb), max takeoff 1157kg (2550lb). MD-530F - Empty 722kg (1591lb), max takeoff 1406kg (3100lb), max overload takeoff 1610kg (3550lb), max takeoff with sling load 1700kg (3750lb).
- Dimentions500C - Main rotor diameter 8.03m (26ft 4in), fuselage length 7.01m (23ft 0in), height 2.48m (8ft 2in). MD-530F - Main rotor diameter 8.33m (27ft 4in), length overall rotors turning 9.94m (32ft 7in), fuselage length 7.49m (24ft 7in), height to top of rotor head with standard skids 2.67m (8ft 9in). Main rotor disc area 54.6m2 (587.5sq ft).
- CapacityTypical seating for five, two in front bucket seats including pilot, and three on rear bench seat. Alternatively can accommodate two stretchers and medical attendant, plus pilot.
- ProductionApproximately 4700 Hughes 500s and MD-500s have been built, including large numbers for military customers.
One of the world's best and helpful light turbine helicopters, the Hughes/Mcdonnell Douglas/MD Helicopters 500 arrangement started life because of a US Army prerequisite for a light perception helicopter.
Hughes won the US Army perception helicopter challenge against rivalry from Bell and Hiller with its Allison 250 controlled YOH-6a Cayuse, which first flew in February 1963. By then Hughes was at that point dealing with a common variation, to be showcased as the Hughes 500. On the other hand, the building and confirmation assignment for all military and common variations of this helicopter sort is Hughes Model 369. It was offered in fundamental five and seven seat designs, and a 500u utility rendition. The 500 and 500u were fueled by an Allison 250-C18a motor.
In 1970 the 500c took after with an all the more effective 250-C20 turboshaft. From 1976 conveyances were of the 500d, an enhanced rendition with again an all the more capable motor, the 250-C20b, a T-tail, and new five sharpened steel principle and discretionary four cutting edge tail rotors. The 500d was trailed by the 500e from 1982 with recontoured nose and different inner part changes including more prominent head and extra space to move around. The 530f (first conveyance January 1984) is an all the more capable form advanced for hot and high work.
Mcdonnell Douglas procured Hughes Helicopters in January 1984, and in August 1985 the Hughes name vanished. From that point on the 500e and 530f were manufactured as the MD-500e and MD-530f Lifter. After the 1997 merger with Boeing, the line was available to be purchased. Chime's arrangements to procure the Boeing common helicopter lines were obstructed by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 1998. At that point in January 1999 Boeing declared the offer of the light helicopter lines to MD Helicopters, a recently shaped division of Netherlands based RDM Holdings. The deal was finished in february 1999. In April 2000 MD Helicopters contracted Kaman to fabricate the fuselages for the single motor Mds.
Military variations are promoted under the MD-500 Defender name.
Permit creation was attempted in Argentina by RACA, in Italy by Bredanardi (later fused with Agusta), in Japan by Kawasaki, and in South Korea by Korean Air.
Pictures of MD Helicopters MD-500/530
