Light Observation Helicopter

This article is about the Vietnam War era U.S. Army program. For the HAL Light Observation Helicopter, see HAL Light Utility Helicopter.
Light Observation Helicopter
YOH-6A Cayuse helicopter on liftoff
General information
Project forLight Observation Helicopter
Issued byUnited States Navy
ServiceUnited States Army
ProposalsBell YOH-4
Fairchild Hiller YOH-5
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
Bell OH-58 Kiowa (second round)
History
OutcomeHughes OH-6 Cayuse (first round)
Bell OH-58 Kiowa (second round)
SuccessorsArmy Helicopter Improvement Program

The Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. It gained impetus with the advent of the Vietnam War, and was aided by advances in helicopter technology, specifically the development of the turboshaft engine.