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Air ForcesUnited States

MD 500 Defender

Light multi-role helicopterFielded 1976Pending verification

Also known as: 500MD Defender

Air ForcesUSA
MD 500 Defender
Photo: 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeLight multi-role helicopter
Alternative designations500MD Defender
Date of introduction1976
ProliferationAt least 17 countries
ManufacturerHughes Helicopters McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems MD HelicoptersMed[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Height2.66 m9 ftMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine1 x Rolls-Royce 250-C20RMed[1]
Thrust / power450 hpMed[1]
Rate of climb540 m/minMed[1]
Service ceiling4,230 m13,878 ftMed[1]
Endurance2.8 hoursMed[1]
Protection
Crew CabinThe crew cabin features a glazed nose for maximum forward visibility.Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints2 eaMed[1]
Fire control
RadioRockwell Collins VHF-251/231 navigation receiverMed[1]
Transmitter/ReceiverHoneywell KY196 transmitter/receiver and KT76 transponder or a Rockwell Collins VHF-251 and TDR-950 transceiver and responderMed[1]
Direction FinderHoneywell KR-85 automatic direction finderMed[1]
Navigation SystemHoneywell dual KX175 navigation systemMed[1]
Night-Flying CapableYes, night-flying lightingMed[1]
GyroscopeAttitude and directional gyroscopesMed[1]
Variants
500D Scout DefenderArmed reconnaissance version[1]
500M DefenderMilitary export version of the 500 and 500C, built under license by Kawasaki in Japan (as the OH-6J)[7] and Breda Nardi in Italy.[1]
500M/ASW DefenderExport version for the Spanish Navy.[1]
NH-500M DefenderItalian-built version of the 500M Defender. Licensed by Breda Nardi before merge with Agusta.[1]
500MD DefenderMilitary version of the 500D. Korean Air's aerospace division from 1976 to 1984 with 200 choppers made. 50 were armed with TOW anti-tank missiles and 150 choppers used for transportation and support duties.[1]
500MD/ASW DefenderMaritime version of the 500MD Defender.[1]
500MD/TOW DefenderAnti-tank version of the 500MD Defender, armed with TOW anti-tank missiles.[1]
500MD/MMS-TOW DefenderAnti-tank version, fitted with a mast-mounted sight, armed with TOW anti-tank missiles.[1]
Summary

The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems MD 500 Defender is a light multi-role military helicopter based on the MD 500 light utility helicopter and OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AfghanistanArgentinaChileColombiaFinlandItalyJapanKenyaSouth KoreaLebanonMexicoMalaysiaPanamaPhilippinesNorth KoreaEl SalvadorUnited States
Sources
  1. MD 500 Defender American Light Multi-Role Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0)