First flying in 2004, some 20 of the type were said to have been confirmed in existence by 2020. The claim of a complete indigenous design is widely disputed and like other Iranian helicopters, this one has a clear resemblance to a well-known US type, too. Adorned with logo (rigth side) and titles (left side) of the manufacturer Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Co. The name Hesa was not carried on the fuselage. Close inspection for further identification was not allowed.

An Iranian indigenous built Shahed 278, a lightweight helicopter that resembles the Bell models. Iran's Aviation Industries Research Center (AIRC) describes the Shahed-278 as a purely civilian design, but later it said that the platform will be used as a light reconnaissance helicopter, armed with weapons and sensors. Test flights of the Shahed-278, in military service designated Oh-78, began in late 2004. The Shahed 278 makes use of airframe and dynamic components of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger. When produced, this helicopter will be built by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).