Norman B. Hirsh; Engineer Developed Apache Copter
Norman B. Hirsh, engineer and aerospace executive who headed development and production of the Apache attack helicopter used extensively in the Gulf War and most recently in Yugoslavia, has died. He was 65.
Hirsh died June 8 in Coto de Caza, Calif., where he had retired.
As vice president and general manager of McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. in Mesa, Ariz., during the 1980s, Hirsh supervised production and sale of several hundred Apaches to the U.S. Army and to European forces. The first AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was rolled out Sept. 30, 1983, and Hirsh continued to improve their design until he left the company as executive vice president in 1990.
The Apache is the only helicopter capable of combat operations at night and in adverse weather. The aircraft uses laser, infrared and other high-technology systems to detect and track targets and then employs missiles, rockets and a 30-millimeter chain gun to destroy them.
Hirsh was a natural for developing the most sophisticated modern military helicopter because of his thorough training in engineering and long background in rotocraft production.
Born in New York City, Hirsh earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University, which honored him as its distinguished engineering alumnus in 1990 and its outstanding mechanical engineering alumnus in 1991. He also studied management at UCLA.
Hirsh began his engineering career at Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., and in 1958 moved to California as a design engineer for General Dynamics in San Diego. In the 1960s and 1970s, he worked in the aircraft division of Hughes Tool Co. in Culver City, specializing in rotocraft and rising from mechanical engineer to deputy program director for Hughes Helicopters.
After leaving McDonnell Douglas in 1990, Hirsh spent three years in Port Angeles, Wash., as president of Rogerson Hiller Corp. and Rogerson Aircraft Corp. Flight Structures Group. He remained an aerospace industry consultant after his retirement in 1993.
Active in professional organizations, Hirsh was secretary-treasurer and in 1986 became president of the American Helicopter Society. He later served as chairman of the organization’s board and was named a fellow.
Hirsh was also board chairman of the Vertical Flight Foundation and was active in the Helicopter Assn. International, Assn. of the U.S. Army, the Army Aviation Assn. of America, the American Defense Preparedness Assn. and the National Aeronautic Assn. Within his community, he was an officer of the Mesa, Ariz., Economic Growth Assn. and the Clallam County (Wash.) YMCA.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sharon; their daughter, Sharon Margaret Hirsh; two children from a previous marriage, Richard Scott Hirsh and Lisa Beyrooty, and seven grandchildren.
Memorial services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at the O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary in Laguna Hills.
