Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH - overview of variants
Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter, an anti-submarine remotely controlled helicopter based on the Gyrodyne YRON-1 Rotorcycle. Guided by AN/SQS-26 sonar aboard Allen M. Sumner class destroyers and Gearing with FRAM upgrades.
DSN-1 - 1960, first variant with Porsche petrol engine, coaxial rotors, armament with one Mk 43 torpedo; 9 pcs.
DSN-2 - 1960, variant with two Porsche engines, otherwise identical to DNS-1; 3 pcs, originally a bridging series was to be built before the DNS-3s were available, serial production canceled after the ban on the use of gasoline engines by the US Navy.
DSN-3 - 1961, significantly redesigned variant with Boeing T50 turboshaft engine, tail surfaces, option to carry two Mk 44 torpedoes or one Mk 46; 373 pcs.
QH-50A - designation for DSN-1 after 1962.
QH-50B - post-1962 designation for DSN-2.
QH-50C - designation for DSN-3 after 1962.
QH-50D - 1965, more powerful engine, fiberglass rotor blades, tail surfaces removed, higher fuel supply and right for easier handling ; the possibility of carrying nuclear depth charges as well. 370 pcs.
YQH-50E - 1969, version with Allison T63 engine due to discontinuation of T50 engines; 3 conversions.
QH-50F - proposed production variant with T63 engines with increased power.
QH-50H - project of a two-engine variant with T63 engines and overall larger dimensions.
SNOOPY - US Navy program using QH-50s equipped with television cameras to monitor the coast during the Vietnam War.
NITE PANTHER - ARPA program using a QH-50D equipped with a television or infrared camera, an infrared rangefinder, and a significantly higher fuel supply for exploration. 3 conversions, also tested in Vietnam.
NITE GAZELLE - ARPA program testing the possibility of arming the QH-50D with a grenade launcher, rotary machine gun, bomb container or Martin Marietta LARS rocket launchers.
SEAMOS - Dornier project to convert the QH-50 into a flying radar platform. Prototypes.