D.A.S.H.
D.A.S.H.
The QH-50 Drone Anti Submarine Helicopter (DASH) was a remotely-piloted aircraft manufactured by Gyrodyne.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 80 knots |
| Cruise Speed | 60 knots |
| Service Ceiling | QH-50C: 16,500 ft |
| Service Ceiling | QH-50D: 25,000 ft |
| Hover Ceiling | QH-50C: 11,300 ft |
| Hover Ceiling | QH-50D: 16,000 ft |
| Range | 60 nautical miles |
| Weapons | 2 MK 46 torpedoes or 1 torpedo and 1 sonobouy |
| Maximum Weight | QH-50C: 2,300lbs |
| Maximum Weight | QH-50D: 2,350lbs |
| Rotor Diameter | 20 ft |
| Engine | QH-50C: Boeing T50-B0-8A |
| Engine | QH-50D: Boeing T50-B0-10 |
| Horsepower | 300shp |
The Deck Control Officer visually controls the DASH during take off and landing the flight deck. Flight and weapons release are controlled from the Combat Information Center. A special variant of DASH known as "Snoopy" used in Vietnam also carried a television camera for gunnery spotting and surveillance work. On Gearing class FRAM destroyers, DASH was carried in the aircraft hanger and flown from the adjacent flight deck.
The DASH system was placed in service 1963 as a long-range antisubmarine weapon system. Due to problems that resulted in many training and operational losses of aircraft ( Parking Lots, also in the water ) the system was withdrawn from service in 1969 from the US Navy.
