MD Helicopters MD Explorer

The MD Explorer is a light twin-engine utility helicopter designed and first produced by the American company McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, later MD Helicopters. It was the company first clean-sheet helicopter to use the NOTAR system, which gives the tail its distinctive look and a quieter sound than a conventional tail rotor. Development began in 1989 under the MDX designation, with composite airframes made with Hawker de Havilland of Australia and Pratt and Whitney Canada PW200 turboshaft engines. The first flight took place on 18 December 1992 and the Federal Aviation Administration certified the type about two years later. The initial MD 900 was joined by the improved MD 902, and an armed MH-90 Enforcer served the United States Coast Guard.