Last update: 17-07-2016
McDonnell Douglas Helicopters give for commercial reasons unofficially different types of each model. The FAA/JAA however, knows only the MD 900 Explorer.
MD 900 Explorer
The project was started in February 1988 under projectname MDX. The first sub-contractors where: Hawker de Havilland of Australia designed and manufactures airframe; Canadian Marconi tested initial version of integrated instrumentation display system (IIDS) early 1992; Kawasaki completed 50 hour test of transmission early 1992. Other partners include Aim Aviation (interior), IAI (cowling and seats) and Lucas Aerospace (actuators).The flighttests started at 17 September 1993 with the first flying model and the second model made its maiden flight on 16 December 1993.Because it was a totally new designed helicopter there where 7 fuselages for ground test porposes.
The first production Explorer made its maiden flight on 3 August 1994. On 2 December 1994 the FAA Certification was achieved, followed by the JAA Certification in July 1996. Single IFR pilot Certicate was achieved in January 1997 for FAA. First delivery started on 16 December 1994. The powerplant were two PW206A engines. After a total of 30 were build the production phased out.
McDonnell Douglas Helicopters has announched that the Explorer with a tri-anglar gear will be aviable from construction number 127 and onwards. After the sale of McDonnell Douglas Helicopters to RDM the project saams to be cancelled.
| crew | 1-2 |
| Passengers | up to 7 |
| Powerplant | PW206A |
| Power | 469 kW (629 shp) for take-off |
| Transmission | rated at one engine 485 kW (650 shp) |
| Overall length | 11,84 m |
| Fuselage length | 9,85 m |
| Heigth | 3,66 m |
| Width | 2,23 m |
| Roter diameter | 10,34 m |
| Empty weight, standard | 1485 kg |
| Useful load | 1163 kg |
| Fuel | 472 kg (600 liters) |
| Max. take-off weight | 2699 kg or 3035 kg with external payloads |
| Max. speed | 322 km/h at sealevel |
| Maximum cruise speed | 274 km/h at sealevel at 38 deg C |
| Service ceiling | 6069 m |
| Hover ceiling | out of ground effect: 3383 m or 2256 m at ISA + 20 deg C in ground effect: 3962 m or 2987 m at ISA + 20 deg C |
| Maximum Range | 520 km with full fuel and no reserves |
| Endurance | 3.4 h with full fuel and no reserves |
MD 901 Explorer
As alternative the Explorer was offered with Turbomecca Arrius 2C and tri-angular landing gear. When McDonnell Douglas Helicopters Inc this type announched the model would be avialable from serial number 900-00127 and upwards. None is ever build yet.
MD 902 Enhanced Explorer
September 1996 McDonnell Douglas Helicopters announced the MD 902, an enhanced version with PW206E engines and other improvements such as improved engine air inlets, increased thermodynamic ratings, improved NOTAR® inlet design and an improved stabilizer control system. On 5 September 1997 was the maiden flight of the new type. The certification was achieved on 11 February 1998, followed by JAA in July 1998. First delivery started in May 1998.
Cat A certificate was achieved by FAA/JAA in november 1999. Also the Single IFR Pilot.
| crew | 1-2 |
| Passengers | up to 7 |
| Powerplant | PW 206E |
| Power | 545 kW (732 shp) for 2.5 minutes emergency |
| Transmission | rated at 2 x 550 shp or at 680 shp for one engine in an emergency |
| Overall length | 11,84 m |
| Fuselage length | 9,86 m |
| Heigth | 3,66 m |
| Width | 2,23 m |
| Roter diameter | 10,34 m |
| Empty weight, standard | 1543 kg |
| Useful load | 726 kg |
| Fuel | 489 kg |
| Max. take-off weight | 2835 kg or 3130 kg with external payloads |
| Max. speed | 259 km/h |
| Maximum cruise speed | 252 km/h |
| Service ceiling | 5944 m |
| Hover ceiling | out of ground effect: 2743 m or 1539 m at ISA + 20 deg C in ground effect: 3353 m or 2073 m at ISA + 20 deg C |
| Maximum Range | 546 km with full fuel and no reserves |
| Endurance | 3,4 h with full fuel and no reserves |
No new type was given to the next Explorer upgrade. In Spring 2000 MD Helicopters announced the new type with a more powerfull engine: PW207E. The engine was for use on the Explorer certificied by FAA in July 2000. The new engine increased the hot-and-high and single engine performance. The first aircraft was delivered 27 September 2000.
| crew | 1-2 |
| Passengers | up to 7 |
| Powerplant | PW207E |
| Power | rated at 530 kw (710 shp) each, derated for reliability and 410 kw (550 shp) for take-off |
| Transmission | |
| Overall length | 12.37 m |
| Fuselage length | 10.39 m |
| Heigth | 3.66 m |
| Width | 2.23 m |
| Roter diameter | 10.34 m |
| Empty weight, standard | 1531 kg |
| Useful load | 1417 kg (internal) or 1599 kg (external) |
| Fuel | 602 kg (739 Liters) |
| Max. take-off weight | 2948 kg or 3130 kg with external payloads |
| Max. speed | 259 km/h |
| Maximum cruise speed | 252 km/h |
| Service ceiling | 6096 m |
| Hover ceiling | out of ground effect: 4267 m or 3383 m at ISA + 20 deg C in ground effect: 4663 m or 3962 m at ISA + 20 deg C |
| Maximum Range | 561 km with full fuel and no reserves |
| Endurance | 3,4 h with full fuel and no reserves |
In early June 2006 FAA approved a revision to the MD902 Explorers' type certificate modifying its NOTAR tail boom to give the aircraft greater directional control authority and allow it to operate at a max gross weight of 6,500 lb. at 5,000 ft. MD Helicopters pursued the change, which involves a 21-in. extension of the tail boom and the addition on the boom of vortex generators, to satisfy the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter competition's requirements. Despite its loss of that contract, MD plans to incorporate the changes in all new-production Explorers and is offering kits to add the modifications to existing ones.
In 2012 MD Helicopters annouched a cockpit upgrade for MD 902 model. The upgrade will not be certified within 18 months.
On March 5, 2013 MD Helicopters announced that the FAA has approved the MD Explorer certification at an increased maximum gross weight of 3070 kg.
By press release of 04 March 2016 MD Helicopters annouches that it is tranferring production of MD 902 fuselages back to the U.S. from Turkey, where they were producted by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The quality of the fuselage was excellent, but the small company need to be in control of there own destiny.
In the same press release of March 04, 2016, MD Helicopters has plans for a military version of the MD 902.
MD 969
By press release of 04 March 2016 - The MD 969 is the futher development of the succesfull MD 902. The aircraft will be fitted out with fundamental changed to the Notar anti-torque system. It is getting a long-awaited glass cockpit, provided by Universal Avionics, a higher-performing version of Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW200-series, new intergrated fuel tanks, as well a new autopilot sytem and higher visibilty windows.
The expectation is the delivery to customers end of 2017.