Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
Category
Country
Production
1965–
Quantity
1,420
Unit Price (current)
$203.0K↗ 922% inflation · 1965→2025
Original Price
$19.9K (1965)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$203.0K
Original: $19.9K (1965)
Inflation: +%922
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1963
- Service Entry Year1966
- Crew2
- Passengers5
- Primary RoleLight Observation Helicopter / utility
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant7MOD.7
- Engine TypeAllison T63-A-5A
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power (each)189 kW
- Rotor Configurationfour-bladed full-articulated main rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter8.03 m
- Main Rotor Blades4
- Anti-Torque TypeNOTAR / tail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed241 km/h
- Cruise Speed240.739 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)240.739 km/h
- Service Ceiling4,815.84 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,140 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,330 m
- Range611.16 km
- Ferry Range2,507.608 km
- Rate of Climb10.5 m/s
- Endurance360
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length9.144 m
- Height2.48 m
- Rotor Disc Area50.6
- Empty Weight557.474 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,225 kg
- Useful Load732 kg
- Cabin Volume1.13
◆Armament & Mission7MOD.7
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload454 kg
- Gunnone
- Anti-Tank MissilesNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Rocket PodsNo
- Rescue HoistNo
▤Avionics7MOD.7
⬢Survivability6MOD.6
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built1,420
- Unit Cost19,860 USD
- Variants6
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1965
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1965Production started
61
years in service
1,420
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 6 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
HUGHES OH-6 CAYUSE · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Operator Countries9country
07 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
59UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS20COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS740UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS5PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS710PRICE · ALL WEAPONS13PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
Fuel tanks equipped with a material that automatically seals punctures from small arms fire or shrapnel to prevent leakage and reduce fire risk.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources