Data Quality85%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH
Country
Production
1962–1969
Quantity
755
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · EARLY COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
45
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV Classdrone helicopter
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1959
- Service Entry Year1963
- Primary RoleAnti-submarine warfare
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
- Length3.658 m
- Wingspan6.1 m
- Height2.96 m
- Empty Weight535 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,043 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
- Engine TypeBoeing T50-BO-8A
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power225 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationcoaxial rotors
◇Performance7MOD.7
- Top Speed148.046 km/h
- Cruise Speed80.46 km/h
- Service Ceiling4,877 m
- Range220 km
- Endurance1
- Combat / Operating Radius35 km
- Maximum Payload272 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadNo
- Laser DesignatorNo
- Sensor Payload Weight45 kg
- Comms RelayYes
▤Armament5MOD.5
- ArmedYes
- Hardpoints2
- Weapons Payload272 kg
- Weapon Types; **2× Mark 44 torpedoes or **1× Mark 46 torpedo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeremote control
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built755
- Operators3
- Variants7
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1969
- Production Start1962
- Production End1969
- Operational StatusIn service as target tug
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1962Production started
- 1969Production ended
64
years in service
7
years in production
755
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
259RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES5EARLY COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2600UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS259PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Operational state of a drone where weapons systems are enabled and ready for engagement.
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
A capability enabling drones to relay communication signals between units, extending operational range and maintaining network connectivity in combat environments.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources