Hughes Helicopters 500MD/ASW Defender (Republic of China)

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Hello everyone! Today I would like to present to you the Hughes Helicopters 500MD/ASW Defender of the Republic of China's Navy, the latest first combat capable helicopter operated by the Navy's aviation arm.

 

 

History:

The Hughes Helicopters 500MD/ASW Defender is a lightweight anti-submarine warfare helicopter. The 500MD was born out of the realization that the OH-6 could perform more than just a scouting role, and would indeed make a good lightweight multi-mission helicopter with roles such as anti-tank and ASW based variants. The 500MD/ASW was a further development of the earlier 500M/ASW helicopter which was operated by the Spanish Navy. The 500MD/ASW based on the 500D, was equipped with a more powerful 420 SHP Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine, a new five bladed rotor, AN/ASQ-81C(V)2 magnetic anomaly detector on the port side, a haul-down point for landing on ships in adverse weather, as well as an air-to-surface RDR-1300 search radar. Weaponry for the 500MD/ASW was nothing substantial. The weapon payload consisted of a maximum of two Mk.44, or Mk.46 torpedoes mounted side-by-side under the fuselage of the helicopter, though one was carried more commonly. Twelve helicopters were purchased by the Republic of China in 1977, with deliveries taking place between 1980 and 1983 just before McDonnell Douglas purchased Hughes Helicopters. They were assigned to the Fleet Helicopter Squadron, and placed on the small Yang-Class destroyers. In 1987 the first operational loss of a 500MD/ASW occurred, with one pilot missing. The lost 500MD/ASW was replaced with a unarmed 500MD which was then regulated to training duties. In 1991, all 500MD/ASW's were transferred to the 501st Helicopter Squadron, where nine remain in service in 2020. The 500MD/ASW would serve the Republic of China Navy exclusively, as no other nation operated the variant.

 

 

 

In-Game:

The ROCN 500MD/ASW would be a interesting and unique ASW helicopter for China; however as helicopters cannot be used in naval at the moment, there is little use for this helicopter. Regardless, when naval helicopters do come, a pair of torpedoes do make for a nice armament, especially since they out range traditional gun AA weapons.

 

 

Specifications:

 

General characteristics:

 

Crew: Two

Length: 30 ft 10 in (9.4 m)

Rotor diametre: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)

Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.7 m)

Empty weight: 1,975 lb (896 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 3,549 lb (1,610 kg)

Powerplant: 1 ×   Allison 250-C20B turboshaft, 420 SHP (313 kW)

Rotor system: 5 x primary blades, 2 x tail blades

Fuselage length: 25 ft (7.62 m)

Stub wingspan: N/A

 

Performance:

 

Never exceed speed: N/A

Maximum speed: 152 mph (244 km/h)

Range: 220 mi (354 km)

Service ceiling: 15,206 ft (4,635 m)

Rate of climb: 1,713 ft/min (8.7 m/s)

 

Armament:

 

2x Mk.44 Torpedoes

- - Range: 5.5 km (3.4 mi)

- - Speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)

- - Explosive mass: 34 kg (75 lb)

- - TNT equivalent:  43.9 kg (96.8 lb)

2x Mk.46 Torpedoes

- - Range: 7.3 km (4.5 mi)

- - Speed: 91 km/h (57 mph)

- - Explosive mass: 44.5 kg (98 lb)

- - TNT equivalent:  59.2 kg (130.5 lb)

 

Other:

 

RDR-1300 Search Radar (445 km (276 mi) max range)

 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

 

https://books.google.ca/books?id=PVlF2QdwtrUC&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=RDR-1300+search+radar+range&source=bl&ots=QGAY9mL-BK&sig=ACfU3U2Sg3SzFe_O6YnjVn8skWM0ie3NgA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj7g_SppIfoAhUMnZ4KHT7mB6gQ6AEwAnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=RDR-1300 search radar range&f=false

https://books.google.ca/books?id=zUu4AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA415&lpg=PA415&dq=500MD/ASW+Defender&source=bl&ots=vETUq5hVyh&sig=ACfU3U1Mjg83hFKAxE3rkV3ABW2NXLFvrg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKxduloofoAhXXvJ4KHVxVBBsQ6AEwEnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=500MD%2FASW Defender&f=false

http://www.taiwanairpower.org/navy/500md.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_MD_500_Defender

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD_500防衛者式直昇機

 

 

Edited October 11, 2020 by Miki_Hoshii

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[_Pixy 196]

+1

[TheEasternSpy 57]

I would like to see the Italian one added as well. Would be better than the AB 205 A-1 we have now. +1

[DMYEugen 688]

Sure, but if we get this for the ROC, we should also get a Ka-27/28 equipped with depth charges and torpedoes for the PLA side of things. +1

Spoiler