loach helicopter vietnam loach helicopter vietnam

The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. As well, its tough frame made it safer than other helicopters during crashes, as its aluminum skin absorbed the energy and the structure protected the crew. On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. [12] Following a competitive fly-off, the Army requested the manufacturers to submit sealed bids. The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. In the hunter-killer teams, the Loach would fly low over the jungle, drawing fire and then calling for the Cobra to kill the teams on the ground. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. The Loach's main role was reconnaisance and observation. Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. The helicopter made a Forced Landing. While its light aluminum skin could be easily penetrated by small arms fire, it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash while the rugged structure protected key systems and its crew; even though the OH-6 was relatively difficult to shoot down, its occupants would often survive forced landings that would have likely been fatal onboard other rotorcraft. Ive seen them, whites of the eyes, and theyve seen me, whites of the eyes. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. [4] The prototypes were delivered to the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they competed against the other ten prototype aircraft produced by Bell and Fairchild-Hiller. Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. This was a Combat incident. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. You were right in the enemys face with a helicopter and had to know what you were doing, recalls warrant officer Clyde Romero of his 1,100 hours flying scout missions over South Vietnam in 1971. I tried to move the stuck controls and prayed for a place to set down. It took all of Kanes strength to pull out of a steep dive, and they crash-landed with a horrific thud. Armament Search and Rescue Helicopters 5. A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72 Can include a combination of the following across two fuselage wingstubs (though some weapons operated from cabin doors): (Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above), Hardpoint Mountings: 2 (if wingstub equipped). Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. The UH-1B/C was used sparingly during the Vietnam War. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. They went down in the jungle, and both [members of the crew] survived. Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. Its effectiveness in battle allowed it to quickly replace the Bell H-13 Siouxs being operated in the country. A little gory but thats how close we were. As the Loach flew among the trees, the rear-seat pilot in the Snake circling above kept a close eye on the little scout and the front-seat gunner jotted down whatever the Loach observers radioed. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. [18] Subsequently, on 6 April 1966, Robert Ferry set the long distance world record for helicopters by flying from Culver City, California, with over a ton of fuel to Ormond Beach, Florida, covering a total of 1,923.08 nm (2,213.04mi, 3,561.55km) in 15 hours, and near the finish at up to 24,000 feet (7,300m) altitude. SA-7 Grail heat-seeking missiles could down a Loach before its crew even realized they were under fire. Loach and Cobra were in constant radio communication, and because of the intensity of hunter-killer missions, it wasnt long before pairs in each type knew each other well enough to anticipate the others moves. (7.62MM) Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. s/n 67-16304 You had a couple of flights in the Huey, then you rode front seat in a Cobra, scout pilot Allan Krausz recounts. It was mostly used to transport troops and cargo during the Vietnam war. Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/18/2017 | Content www.MilitaryFactory.com The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. contact us here and we will remove the In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. The OH-6A Loach (for "LOH") would find targets by flying low, "trolling for fire", then marking the target with colored smoke to lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. The Bell H-13 Sioux were used for multiple roles, ranging from transporting troops, conducting medical evacuations, and performing reconnaissance and observational activities. Helicopter took 1 hits from: Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. It was the same for Jim. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. Despite a strong outcry from crews in Vietnam, the Bell OH-58A Kiowa, powered by the same Allison T-63 engine as the OH-6, was being distributed to Army units. [22][23] Prior to the arrival of the AH-1, "hunter-killer" teams often relied on the firepower from armed models of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. Army headquarters developed doctrine by building on what worked in the field, rather than the other way around, and each unit in-country did things slightly differently. Casualties = 01 WIA . Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. The Loach helicopters used to transport personnel were given the designation MH-6, while the armed ones were dubbed the AH-6. Following the lead, we got peppered with rounds. The Loach had a bad vibration, but he made it about half a mile before he had to land. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. In order to reduce their acoustic signature, the helicopters (N351X and N352X) received a four-blade 'scissors' style tail rotor (later incorporated into the Hughes-designed AH-64 Apache), a fifth rotor blade and reshaped rotor tips, a modified exhaust system, and various other performance boosting modifications. The "loach" was the LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) or OH-6A. You can have all the guns, vests, and radios you want, but you need street smarts or youre going to be dead within an hour.. The US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains and graduates qualified engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation (T & E) at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River Maryland and other activities. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! On the night of 5-6 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. In one particular clandestine incident in 1972, known as the Vinh wiretap, a pair of OH-6As were heavily modified and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America was used to infiltrate Vietnamese high level communications, providing valuable intelligence. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft were returned to the U.S., where they were dismantled and converted back to a standard configuration; they continued to be operated as such for a time. Upon encountering enemy fire, Loaches were to leave immediately, dropping smoke grenades to mark the target so that within seconds, the Cobra could roll in. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. Crews trained side by side with the 160th for all operational concepts. Due to its designation LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), pilots and crew nicknamed this helicopter LOACH. We got into another aircraft and went back out. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. The Loach-derived MD-500 and other civilian variants still roll off the assembly lines at MD Helicopters, Inc., while Boeing produces an upgraded variant, the AH-6 Little Bird, for military forces (including an autonomous drone version). The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. He is proud of his service, which involved a great deal of combat, but has concluded that U.S. involvement in Vietnam was a mistake. I followed footsteps. [8][9] It was reported that Howard Hughes had directed his company to submit a bid at a price beneath the actual production cost of the helicopter in order to secure this order. The 1-245th AVN BN enlisted were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the aircraft. It was pretty hairy, and we got the hell out of there. But Boucher got a rush from the missions, and stayed six months beyond what was required of a draftee. Accordingly, the U.S. Army's fixed-wing airplane, the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, which was utilized for artillery observation and reconnaissance flights, would be replaced by the incoming OH-6A. The Kaman SH-2 could extend and increase both shipboard sensor and weapon abilities against different types of enemy units, including submarines, ships, and patrol craft with anti-ship missiles. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. Fewer than 2,000 of the type were produced though the original went on to spawn a plethora of viable performers including the Hughes 500 "Defender" and the special forces-minded MH-6 "Little Bird". It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. Both Loach and Cobra have been in production, on and off, in one form or another ever since. [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Unit: 173 ABN (Scouts were known as White Teams and Cobras as Red; the two colors combine to become pink. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the U.S. Army were destroyed in Vietnam alone. The Little Birds weaponry is a far cry from the M60 machine gun carried aboard a Loach in Vietnam: AH-6s can carry miniguns, rocket pods, grenade launchers, Hellfire missiles, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. Helicopter took 2 hits from: purchase. Books/Magazines He recalls: 360 degrees around you was enemy territory, and the ability to work with American and [South Vietnamese] units on the ground really required aviation to be able to look eye to eye to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Loach-Cobra pairings were sent out more and more frequently, until their main role was to gather general intelligence rather than prepare landing zones. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . The Cayuse . During the Vietnam War Era, different types of helicopters were crucial for providing support for ground forces, scouting locations, and deploying or retrieving soldiers. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. The Mil Mi-8 is a Soviet medium twin-turbine helicopter. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 [22] The remaining H-13s were promptly withdrawn in favour of the OH-6s. The CH-53 Tarhe was another heavy-lift helicopter designed to transport and recover downed aircraft. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. which many are taken will be available from our shop to I could see a cigarette butt still burning. On top of this, Fairchild Hiller lodged a formal complaint over Hughes Tool Companys deceitful tactics to earn the original contract. Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, was designed for use as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) nicknamed LOACH, military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Armys need for an extremely maneuverable observation helicopter. I got shot down on my 22nd birthday, March 27, 1971. Unknown as to mission impact. to voice a complaint about any articles or image on this website, please The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Modifications were also made to the rotor assembly by way of a five blade main rotor which increased stability. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 During the Vietnam War, it was exclusively used by North Vietnam for reconnaissance and VIP transport. One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. On the night of 56 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. Moore served as an Army OH-6A "Loach" scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Accordingly, this tactic had resulted in substantial losses being incurred on the contract with the U.S. Army; the company had allegedly anticipated that an extended production cycle would eventually make the rotorcraft financially viable. [22] Its straightforward design made it easier to maintain than most other helicopters, while its relatively compact 26-foot main rotor made it easier to use tight landing zones. The U.S. Marine Corps still flies AH-1 SuperCobras as its main attack helicopter, with the latest versionthe AH-1Z Viper so upgraded and modernized that a Vietnam-era pilot might be hard-pressed to recognize it. They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. . Moses, a 19-year-old draftee, arrived in Vietnam in July 1970 for the first of two year-long tours, and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a therapist and administrator. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. Due to its unique shape, the Loach was given the nickname . While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 050 knots. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. From the rear cockpit, the pilot fired rockets from launchers fixed to the stub wings on either side; the copilot in the front operated a chin turret that held a minigun and grenade launcher. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. I spent more time with them., Kids Start Forgetting Early Childhood Around Age 7, Archaeologists Discover Wooden Spikes Described by Julius Caesar, Artificial Sweetener Tied to Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Finds, 5,000-Year-Old Tavern With Food Still Inside Discovered in Iraq, The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. The OH-6A Cayuse fulfilled this role and became known as the Little Bird. The pilots tasked with operating the choppers were selected from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion. Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. By the end of the war, the Loachs replacement was imminent. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . MD-500MD/Scout and TOW Defender: Improved military version of the model 500 with 5 main rotor blades, 375-shp Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, and T-tail. Almost as soon as production began, however, it was replaced by a competitors model. The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. Each could be equipped with any number of armaments, including grenade launchers, 7.62 mm miniguns, Hydra 70 mm unguided rockets, and TOW and Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. 2 Stinger AAM. While barely any American helicopters served in World War II and few flew in Korea, Vietnam was a proving ground for many airframes everything from the venerable Huey to Chinooks sporting huge guns. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. Sensing its growing battlefield requirements, the US Army then raised the production ceiling to 1,300 units in all. The guidance systems on newer attack helicoptersoften working with or even controlling the cameras of reconnaissance droneshave relegated to history the hunter role in the hunter-killer missions. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. This was a Combat incident. OH-6A/MD-530F Super Cayuse/Lifter: Upgraded engine to a 425-shp Allison 250- C30 turboshaft, and avionics in 1988 for the US Army. We operated from fixed bases that were islands, if you will, of allied control, says Hugh Mills, who flew both Loaches and Cobras in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972, and went on to fly helicopters for the Kansas City Police Department. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. This helicopter was chosen by the US Army over the proposals of a number of other helicopter manufactures, designated the OH-6A Cayuse, and entered service in 1965. The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. FAQ | The Loach also had its own gunner in the rear and could carry everything from 7.62mm miniguns to 70mm rockets and anti-tank missiles. The Army dictated that after 300 hours of flight time, each Loach go through a thorough inspection, but in practice such inspections were rare: Few Loaches survived to reach that mark. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 The killer role persists. Observation Helicopters 4. Worthy, the OH-6 Loach and two other air scout helicopter pilots, all decorated, were in Topeka on Saturday night for an event at Forbes Field Airport designed to increase interest and. Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. Adopted after. Required fields are marked *. The US Army subsequently reopened the LOH program to engineering companies, offering a new contract for 2,700 additional airframes. OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. In this theatre, it was commonly operated in teams with other rotorcraft, such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, using so-called "hunter-killer" tactics to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets; the OH-6 would act as bait to draw enemy fire and mark targets for other platforms such as the AH-1 to attack. 2 .50 cal MG pods The "OH-6C" was the creation of the Maintenance Section of The Real Cav, B Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron, which was stationed near Pleiku in early 1972. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 It later turned out that Howard Hughes purposely undervalued his estimate and deceptively won out against Fairchild-Hiller - his reasoning being that a long-term US Army commitment to his helicopter would, over time, make the deal profitable at some point. The OH-6 Cayuse was developed from specifications issued by the U.S. Army in 1960 for a light observation helicopter (LOH), and the familiar Loach nickname was derived from the acronym. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. At peak production, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. Moore served as an Army OH-6A Loach scout in IV Corps, South Vietnam, 1968-1969: Fort Apache, Vihn Long Province. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN [12] Accordingly, during 1968, Hughes submitted a bid to build a further 2,700 airframes. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. This teamwork was actively encouraged by Army officials, and led to the development of so-called "hunter-killer" tactics that sought to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. The flames covered my boots and lower legs. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. Trademarks and copyright information is respected. The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. A shaft ran to the tail and powered the two-blade rotor at the back. https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. Even trampled grass was a clue; it meant that enemy troops had passed through the area within eight hours, the time it took for grass to dry upright. I had a wingman shot down, pilot John Shafer says. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. [7] The Hiller design, designated OH-5A,[7] had featured a boosted control system, while the Hughes design did not, a difference that accounted for some of the price increase. The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. USNTPS plans to retain the aircraft indefinitely and continue to improve the safety, reliability, and usefulness of the aircraft in the test pilot training role.