Hughes Helicopters

Hughes Helicopters was an American manufacturer of military and civilian helicopters that operated under several related corporate structures from the late 1940s until its acquisition by McDonnell Douglas in 1984. Its origins lay in Howard Hughes's decision to expand Hughes Aircraft's activities into rotorcraft. The effort began in 1947 and became more concrete in 1948, when Hughes acquired the latest helicopter design of the Kellett Autogiro Corporation for production. The resulting XH-17 Sky Crane was an ambitious heavy-lift prototype. It first flew in 1952, but its technical complexity and limited commercial prospects prevented it from becoming a successful production product. In 1955, Hughes separated helicopter production from Hughes Aircraft and organized it within the Hughes Tool Company as the Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division. The reorganized business shifted its attention toward smaller, simpler helicopters with broader commercial and military potential. Its first major success was the Hughes Model 269, a light helicopter that entered production in 1957 after initial construction in 1956. The type established a significant position for Hughes in the commercial light-helicopter market and was later adopted by the United States Army as the TH-55 Osage primary trainer. Civilian versions and licensed derivatives of the Model 269 remained influential well beyond the original company's existence. Hughes's next major breakthrough came through military procurement. In 1965, the company won a United States Army competition for a light observation helicopter and developed the Model 369, which entered military service as the OH-6 Cayuse. The design combined compact dimensions, high agility, and a distinctive lightweight structure. Its civilian development became the Model 500 family, which continued in various forms through successor companies and licensees. The OH-6 and Model 500 gave Hughes a durable presence in both military reconnaissance and civilian utility, law-enforcement, agricultural, and training applications. The company's corporate identity changed again in the 1970s. After Hughes sold the tool division of Hughes Tool Company, his remaining holdings were consolidated as Summa Corporation. The helicopter business became the Hughes Helicopter Division, Summa Corporation, while continuing to be widely known as Hughes Helicopters. During the same period, Hughes entered the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter competition. Its Model 77, designated YAH-64, was selected over Bell's competing YAH-63 in 1975. Prototype flight testing followed in 1977, leading to the AH-64 Apache, one of the most consequential attack-helicopter programs of the late twentieth century. In 1981, the helicopter operation was reconstituted as Hughes Helicopters, Inc. The company built development and production Apache aircraft at its new Mesa, Arizona facility, and the first production AH-64 rolled out in 1983. The program also brought Hughes major recognition, including the National Aeronautic Association's Collier Trophy in 1983. Hughes engineers additionally worked on the NOTAR anti-torque concept, later developed into a distinctive helicopter technology by successor organizations. Summa Corporation sold Hughes Helicopters to McDonnell Douglas in January 1984 for $470 million. McDonnell Douglas renamed the operation McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems later that year. The Hughes corporate identity therefore ended as an independent manufacturer, but many of its products and engineering programs continued. Apache production moved into the McDonnell Douglas and later Boeing rotorcraft organizations, while the light-helicopter business associated with the Model 500 and related designs continued through successor companies including MD Helicopters and Schweizer-related licensees.

Hughes Helicopters originated in Howard Hughes's postwar effort to establish a rotorcraft business within Hughes Aircraft. The initiative was announced in 1947 and became an active manufacturing program in 1948, when Hughes acquired the latest design of the Kellett Autogiro Corporation. Hughes developed the design into the XH-17 Sky Crane, a large experimental helicopter with an unusual rotor and heavy-lift ambitions. The prototype flew for the first time in October 1952, but it did not achieve commercial success. Its limited production prospects helped redirect the company toward smaller aircraft. In 1955, the helicopter operation was separated from Hughes Aircraft and placed within the Hughes Tool Company as the Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division. This structure gave the business a clearer focus on light helicopters. The Model 269 became its first commercially successful design. Built in 1956 and entering production in 1957, the compact two- or three-seat helicopter helped Hughes gain a substantial share of the commercial light-helicopter market. The United States Army later selected a military version as the TH-55 Osage, making the design an important training platform as well as a civilian product. Hughes achieved a much larger military position in 1965, when the United States Army selected it to develop a new observation helicopter. The resulting Model 369 entered service as the OH-6 Cayuse. Its small size, agility, and lightweight construction made it suited to reconnaissance and observation missions. Hughes adapted the platform for civilian use as the Model 500, creating a family of utility and commercial helicopters. Variants and derivatives of the design continued after the Hughes company was sold. Corporate ownership changed in 1972. Howard Hughes sold the tool division of Hughes Tool Company and consolidated his remaining business interests as Summa Corporation. The aircraft operation was consequently renamed the Hughes Helicopter Division, Summa Corporation, although Hughes Helicopters remained the common public name. During that year the United States Army also began its Advanced Attack Helicopter procurement process. Hughes and Bell became the finalists, and Hughes's Model 77 YAH-64 was selected in 1975 over Bell's YAH-63. A development prototype first flew in 1977. The YAH-64 evolved into the AH-64 Apache. In 1981, Summa reorganized the helicopter business as Hughes Helicopters, Inc. By December of that year, six AH-64A prototypes had been completed and the Army had awarded the company a purchase contract. Production was established at a new facility in Mesa, Arizona, where the first production Apache emerged in 1983. The program helped make Hughes a major military helicopter manufacturer and earned the company the National Aeronautic Association's Collier Trophy in the same year. Hughes engineers also developed the NOTAR anti-torque concept during the 1970s, although its later production implementation occurred under successor ownership. In January 1984, Summa Corporation sold Hughes Helicopters to McDonnell Douglas for $470 million. McDonnell Douglas made the acquired company a subsidiary and renamed it McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems in August 1984. The independent Hughes Helicopters identity thereby ended, but its designs remained commercially and militarily important. Following the 1997 McDonnell Douglas merger with Boeing, Apache production became associated with Boeing's rotorcraft operations, while light-helicopter designs and related manufacturing rights passed through other successor organizations, including MD Helicopters and Schweizer-related licensees.

• 1984

  McDonnell Douglas acquisition ends independent Hughes operation

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  Summa Corporation sold the company to McDonnell Douglas, which renamed it McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems.

• 1983

  First production AH-64 rolls out

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  The first production AH-64 emerged from Hughes's new Mesa, Arizona facility, and the company received the Collier Trophy.

• 1981

  Hughes Helicopters, Inc. is reconstituted

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  The Summa helicopter division was reorganized under the Hughes Helicopters, Inc. name.

• 1977

  YAH-64 prototype flies

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  A development prototype of the future Apache completed its first flight.

• 1975

  YAH-64 wins the Advanced Attack Helicopter competition

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  The Hughes Model 77 YAH-64 was selected over Bell's YAH-63, setting the course for the AH-64 Apache.

• 1972

  Business becomes part of Summa Corporation

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  After the restructuring of Howard Hughes's holdings, the operation became the Hughes Helicopter Division, Summa Corporation.

• 1965

  OH-6 observation-helicopter contract

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  Hughes won the United States Army competition that led to the Model 369 and OH-6 Cayuse.

• 1957

  Model 269 enters production

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  The Model 269 entered production and became Hughes's first major commercial helicopter success.

• 1955

  Helicopter unit moves to Hughes Tool Company

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  The helicopter production unit was separated from Hughes Aircraft and reconstituted as the Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division.

• 1952

  XH-17 Sky Crane makes its first flight

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  The experimental heavy-lift XH-17 flew for the first time in October, although the program was not commercially successful.

• 1948

  Kellett Autogiro design acquired

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  Hughes acquired the latest design of Kellett Autogiro Corporation for production and further development.

• 1947

  Helicopter development begins within Hughes Aircraft

  [1]Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org

  Howard Hughes redirected part of Hughes Aircraft toward helicopter development, establishing the foundation of the later helicopter business.

Innovative American rotorcraft manufacturer spanning light civilian helicopters, military observation aircraft, training helicopters, and advanced attack helicopters.

• Experimental heavy-lift helicopter · 1952

  XH-17 Sky Crane

  The XH-17 was Hughes's early heavy-lift helicopter project, developed from the Kellett design acquired in 1948. Its unusually large rotor system and experimental configuration were intended to support heavy external loads. The prototype made its first flight in October 1952, but the aircraft did not become a commercially successful production helicopter. The program nevertheless represented Hughes's initial attempt to establish a rotorcraft manufacturing capability and provided experience that influenced the company's later shift toward lighter, more practical designs.

• Light utility and training helicopter · 1957

  Model 269 / TH-55 Osage

  The Model 269 was Hughes's first major commercial success. Built in 1956 and entering production in 1957, it was a compact light helicopter aimed at the civilian market. Its basic design was also adopted by the United States Army as the TH-55 Osage primary trainer. The type helped Hughes establish a broad light-helicopter customer base and became one of the company's most durable platforms through military use, civilian sales, and later licensed production.

• Military observation helicopter · 1965

  OH-6 Cayuse / Model 369

  The OH-6 Cayuse was developed from the Model 369 after Hughes won a United States Army competition in 1965. It was designed as a small, highly maneuverable observation and reconnaissance helicopter. Its lightweight structure and compact dimensions made it suitable for demanding military missions. Hughes also developed the platform for civilian use, creating the Model 500 family, whose descendants and related variants remained in service after Hughes Helicopters was sold.

• Civilian light utility helicopter

  Model 500

  The Model 500 was the civilian development of the OH-6 platform. It was offered for utility, commercial, law-enforcement, agricultural, training, and other light-helicopter roles. The family extended Hughes's military observation design into a broader civil product line and remained commercially significant after the 1984 acquisition. Production and support for related versions later continued through successor companies and licensees rather than under the original Hughes Helicopters identity.

• Attack helicopter · 1983

  AH-64 Apache

  The AH-64 originated as Hughes's Model 77 YAH-64 entry in the United States Army Advanced Attack Helicopter competition. Selected in 1975, the design first flew as a development prototype in 1977 and entered production at Hughes's Mesa facility in 1983. The Apache became the company's most strategically important military program. Its production and development continued under McDonnell Douglas and subsequently Boeing after Hughes Helicopters was acquired.

• 1984

  Sale to McDonnell DouglasM&A

  Background

  Summa Corporation was streamlining its interests and reducing its involvement in operating businesses outside its main focus.

  Action taken

  Summa sold Hughes Helicopters to McDonnell Douglas in January 1984 for $470 million.

  Aftermath

  McDonnell Douglas made the company a subsidiary and renamed it McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems later in 1984. The Hughes name ceased to identify the independent manufacturer, while its helicopter designs continued under successor companies.

  Acquisition price. $470 million (January 1984)

  Source

• 1975

  Selection of the Hughes YAH-64Product launch

  Background

  The United States Army evaluated competing designs for its Advanced Attack Helicopter requirement.

  Action taken

  Hughes's Model 77 YAH-64 was selected over Bell's YAH-63.

  Aftermath

  The selection led to the AH-64 Apache, Hughes's defining late-period military helicopter program.

  Source

• 1955

  Shift toward light helicoptersStrategy

  Background

  Following the commercially unsuccessful XH-17 heavy-lift experiment, Hughes separated helicopter production from Hughes Aircraft and reorganized it within Hughes Tool Company.

  Action taken

  The business focused on smaller light helicopters, beginning with the Model 269 program.

  Aftermath

  The Model 269 became the company's first successful commercial helicopter and created a foundation for later military and civilian products.

  Source

1. 1Hughes Helicoptersen.wikipedia.org