The debut of the Boeing AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter at the Dubai Airshow this month was just the latest iteration in this aircraft’s long and complicated history. The design first flew in the 1960s as the Hughes Model 300. It was adopted by the U.S. Army as the OH-6A and further developed for civilian customers as the Models 500 and 530. McDonnell Douglas then bought Hughes Helicopters and sold versions of the helicopter to the U.S. Special Forces as the AH/MH-6J. When Boeing bought MD, it sold the light helicopter business line to investors. Today, there is a complicated relationship between Boeing and MD Helicopters regarding military versions of the design.
According to Boeing, the original OH-6 and the variant that it offers today have little in common, other than the characteristic shape of the fuselage. “Boeing has brought the AH-6 into the modern world, with a glass cockpit, more power, and more controllability,” said Fred Jernigan, business development manager. “Not everyone can afford the AH-64 and Hellfire missile system, and the AH-6 with the Dagger is a good alternative,” he continued.
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