AIRCRAFT
Helicopters and other aircraft used by Marine Corps helicopter squadrons.
The First
Pitcairn OP-1
1932
The Pitcairn OP-1 autogyro was the first Marine Corps rotary wing aircraft. It was tested at Quantico and Nicaragua by VJ-6M in 1932 but not adopted.
The Early Years 1947-55
Bell HTL/H-13 "Sioux"
1948 - ?
Utility/Trainer. Used by VMO-6 in Korea, later equipped Reserve
HMRs
Sikorsky HO3S
1948-53
Observation/Utility
Used by VMO-6 in Korea for general duties and medevacs.
Piaseki HRP "Flying Banana"
1948-53
Early transport used only by HMX-1. The HRP-1 was fabric-covered;
the HRP-2 had metal skin.
Sikorsky HO5S
1952-57
Observation/Utility helo. Used in Korea by VMO-6. Equipped some
HMRs.
Sikorsky HRS/CH-19E
1951 - 62
First Marine transport helo. HMR-161 took them into combat in
Korea in 1951.
Post-Korea 1955-62
Sikorsky HR2S/CH-37C "Deuce"
1957-66
First USMC heavy-lifter. HMH-461 made the only squadron-size
deployment in 1965. A few served with H&MS-16 in Vietnam.
Sikorsky HUS/UH-34D "Sea Horse"
1957-76
This was the mainstay of Marine Medium squadrons for a decade.
The Reserves kept it in service until the mid 1970s.
Kaman HOK/OH-43
"Huskie"
1956-65
The unique HOK observation helo equipped VMOs and HMR(C)s.
Piaseki HUP/UH-25 "Retriever"
1958-62?
Used by Reserve units and Base Flights.
The Jet Age 1962 - present
Bell UH-1E "Iroquois"
1964-86
First turbine-powered helicopter. Standard equipment in the VMO
and later the HMLs, many of these utility aircraft were converted
into gunships. HMM-165 was the last active duty operator (1976); HML-776 operated Echos until 1986/87.
Sikorsky VH-3A/D
1962-present
VIP transport version of USN "Sea King" used by
HMX-1.
Boeing Vertol CH-46A/D/F/E "Sea
Knight" (aka "Phrog")
1964-present
Currently equips 15 Regular and 2 Reserve HMMs, as well as HMX-1.
Scheduled for replacement by MV-22.
Sikorsky CH-53A/D "Sea Stallion"
1966-present
Entered service with HMH-463 in 1966.
Still in service (2002) with HMH-362, -363, -463, and
HMT-301.
Bell AH-1G "Cobra"
1969-80
Gunship flew with VMO-2 and HML-367 in Vietnam. Later equipped
HMA-169 and HMA-773.
Bell AH-1J "Sea Cobra"
1969-93(?)
Twin-engined version for USMC.
Served in Vietnam and the Gulf War.
Bell UH-1N "Iroquois"
1971 -present
Twin-engined version of the Huey. It equips 8 HMLA squadrons + 1
training squadron.
Bell AH-1T "Sea Cobra"
1977-199?
Improved version with more powerful engines. First 33 (of 55
total) were delivered without TOW anti-armor missile capability
(later upgraded).
Sikorsky CH-53E "Super Stallion"
Current "heavy-hauler". Capable of lifting 98% of the
equipment of a Marine Division. Equips 6 Regular and 2 Reserve
HMHs, as well as HMT-302 and HMX-1.
Sikorsky VH-60A
1988-present
HMX-1 operates several of these aircraft as VIP transports.
Bell AH-1W "Super Cobra"
1986-
Latest version of the Cobra. Serves in 8 Light Attack
squadrons.
Bell/Boeing MV-22B "Osprey"
The intended replacement for both the CH-46 and CH-53D. Operational testing is carried out by VMX-22; VMMT-204 trains crews and maintainers. VMM-263 stood up in 2006 as the first operatonal tactical MV-22 squadron.
The Future
Bell UH-1Y
In development
Flight testing of this upgraded "Huey" began in
2001.
Bell AH-1Z
In development
Flight testing began in 2001.
Lockheed-Martin VH-71
Chosen in 2005 as the replacement for Presidential VH-3Ds.
Fixed-Wing
At various times, Marine helicopter squadrons have operated fixed-wing aircraft.
Beech SNB-5/UC-45J "Expediter"
1950s - mid 60s.
Assigned to H&MS squadrons for utility duties.
OE-1
OE-2
Cessna OE/O-1B; OE-2/O-1C "Bird
Dog"
1951-70
Replaced the OY in the VMO squadrons. Detachments served in
Vietnam with VMO-2, 6, and H&MS-16.
Convair OY "Sentinel
1943-54
This was the standard VMO aircraft in WW2 & Korea
Douglas R4D-8/C-117F
The "Gooney Bird" was assigned to H&MS squadrons as
a logistics aircraft.
North American T-28 "Trojan"
Six were assigned to VMO-6 in 1963 to develop close-support
tactics.
North American OV-10A/D "Bronco"
Replaced UH-1E in VMOs after 1968. HML-267 ran training school
until 1971.