Boeing Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) H-6U Specs and Price

Boeing Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) H-6U Specs and Price – The Boeing Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) H-6U is a modified unmanned variant of the MD 530F helicopter designed by Boeing and MD Helicopters. ULB can be operated or programmed remotely for autonomous operation. This unmanned helicopter has a high payload capacity that makes it possible to carry out various missions, including long-lasting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions using large-capacity and heavy-duty sensors.

The ULB H-6U helicopter made its first flight in September 2004 and took off and the first autonomous landing took place in October 2004. Since flying for the first time, the helicopter has been flying safe with UAV technology for more than 500 hours and monitored by pilot pilots residing in over the helicopter. The first unmanned flight was completely completed in July 2006. In the fall of 2012, the unmanned Little Bird helicopter completed a sea trial with the French Navy.

Boeing ULB H-6U Specs

The ULB H-6U helicopter is based on the MD 530F lightweight helicopter which is proven combat. The unmanned helicopter is equipped with a five-blade main rotor articulated with a diameter of 8.33 m. The rotor is equipped with a retention pin that can be removed to fold the rotor blades during storage. Overall, the ULB H-6U helicopter has a length of 9.94 m, a height of 2.67 m and a payload capacity of 1,090 kg.

Boeing installed the D2AD takeoff and landing system on the ULB H-6U helicopter. So that this helicopter can take off and conventional automatic landing. ULB helicopter flight tests have been carried out with an electro-optical and infrared L-3 Wescam MX-15 L-3 sensor load along with L-3 Communications Common Tactical Tactical (TCDL) link.

In June 2011, the Boeing ULB H-6U equipped with Thales Magic ATOLS (Automatic Take Off and Landing System) completed an automatic landing on a moving trailer, adjusting the ship's movements. France also conducted a trial at sea in 2012 with the H-6U ULB using an automatic deck landing system.

Boeing ULB H-6U Engine

The ULB H-6U helicopter is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft engine capable of producing 485 kW of power. The engine is mounted on a tilt at the rear of the fuselage. Boeing ULB helicopters have maximum speed of 282 km / h, cruising speed of 250 km / h, and range of 232 nmi.

Boeing ULB H-6U Cockpit and Avionics

The ULB H-6U helicopter's glass cockpit includes sophisticated avionics systems such as the integration of multi-sensor data, digital mapping, high bandwidth signal processing, data storage, digital radio and Ku band communication (11.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz).

Boeing ULB H-6U Weapons

ULB H-6U helicopter can be armed with 2.75 in rockets, Viper Strike (SOPGM) precision guided ammunition supplied by Northrop Grumman and 12.7 mm GAU-19 Gatling rifles.

SOPGM Viper Strike is a gliding ammunition for stand-off precision attacks that uses GPS-assisted navigation and a semi-active laser finder. This is intended for operations that require flexible (steep or shallow) slope angles, especially in mountainous or urban areas. The small size and precision of ammunition provides low collateral damage in a messy urban environment.

Boeing ULB H-6U Price

The price of the Boeing Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) H-6U is around US $ 2 Million. At present, ULB H-6U has been operated by the United States Army and the French Navy.