OH-6A Cayuse
"Loach" Helicopter
The OH-6A Cayuse was designed as a military scout aircraft during the Vietnam War to meet the Army's need for an extremely maneuverable light observation helicopter. Nicknamed the "Loach" because of its LOH designation (light observation helicopter), the OH-6 was heavily relied upon in Southeast Asia. At peak production during the war, as many as 100 OH-6As were built per month. The Cayuse was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition and reconnaissance.
Entered Service: 1965
Builder: Hughes Aircraft Company
Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
Engine: Allison T63-A-5A
Length: 25 feet
Width: 6 feet
Height: 8 feet
Range: 500 miles
[Cruising Speed: 120 miles per hour]
Aircraft No.: 017204 PA NG
Weapon System: If armed with the M-27 system, the OH-6 would contain a port (left) side mounting M-134 six-barrel, 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament system. In addition, an M-60D, 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the rear door openings.
[The new marker text is essentially the same as the former marker (which is transcribed), with the exception of the added cruising speed]
Erected by Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
this page online
Location. 40° 25.993′ N, 76° 34.009′ W. Marker is in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, in Lebanon County. Marker is at the intersection of Fisher Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Fisher Avenue. Located on the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Facility. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annville PA 17003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. AH-1F Bell (a few steps from this marker); UH-1 Iroquois (within shouting distance of this marker); M4A3 Sherman Tank (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Company G, 112th Infantry, and Service Troop, 104th Cavalry, War Memorial (about 500 feet away); M46 Patton Tank (about 500 feet away); M60A3 Patton Tank (about 600 feet away); M113A2 APC (about 600 feet away); M1/IPM1 Abrams Tank (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Indiantown Gap.
Also see . . .
1. OH-6A Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter. Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network website entry:
The OH-6A lives on today in a series of variants used for special operations support, commonly called "little birds." (Submitted on October 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
3. The OH-6 Helicopter - Part I: Characteristics and Base Maneuvers (TF 46-3885). YouTube video (24m 26s) (Submitted on February 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on February 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,571 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on February 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
