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
MD Helicopters MD 500
Category
Country
Production
1967–
Quantity
4,700
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
38
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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 Year1967
- Crew2
- Passengers3
- Primary RoleLight utility helicopter
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant7MOD.7
- Engine TypeAllison 250-C30
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power (each)313 kW
- Rotor ConfigurationSingle main rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter8.33 m
- Main Rotor Blades5
- Anti-Torque TypeNOTAR (MD 520N/530N)
▣Performance8MOD.8
- Top Speed281.48 km/h
- Cruise Speed250 km/h
- Service Ceiling5,699.76 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)3,600 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,225 m
- Range413 km
- Ferry Range2,507.608 km
- Rate of Climb10.57 m/s
◇Dimensions & Weights5MOD.5
- Fuselage Length9.754 m
- Height2.67 m
- Rotor Disc Area54.6
- Empty Weight722 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,224.72 kg
◆Armament & Mission6MOD.6
- Hardpoints0
- Gun7.62mm Minigun
- Anti-Tank MissilesYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Rocket PodsYes
- Rescue HoistNo
▤Avionics7MOD.7
⬢Survivability6MOD.6
▲Production2MOD.2
- Total Built4,700
- Variants500
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1967
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1967Production started
- 1968Entered service
- 1980Sale: North Korea (87 units)
- 1984Sale: El Salvador (9 units)
- 2012Sale: El Salvador (3 units)
- 2022Last sale: El Salvador (4 units)
59
years in service
4,700
units produced
16
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
MD HELICOPTERS MD 500 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory3country · 100units
100active
MD Helicopters MD 500SALES4records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  El Salvador | 4 | — | — |
| 2012 | El Salvador | 3 | — | — |
| 1984 | El Salvador | 9 | — | — |
| 1980 |  North Korea | 87 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
112UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS38COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS1165UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS13PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Anti-Tank Guided Missile: a missile designed to destroy tanks.
Aerodynamic containers mounted on aircraft, typically helicopters or fighter jets, that hold and launch unguided rockets in rapid succession.
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