US-based MD Helicopters has delivered the final five of thirty new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters for the Afghan Air Force.
The helicopters, delivered as part of the company’s $1.4 billion contract with the US Army from 2017, were shipped out of Mesa-Gateway Airport, Mesa, Arizona, and reached Kandahar on October 27, the company said.
The aircraft were reassembled and ready for active service in less than 10 days.
The company started deliveries of the helicopters with a five-unit batch in August 2018.
With this shipment, MD Helicopters said it met all requirements of IDIQ Delivery Order 1, and the number of MD 530F training and combat aircraft delivered to the Afghan Air Force has reached 60.
“The iconic MD Helicopters airframe was born to serve the warfighter,” Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters. “We remain committed to the ongoing delivery of robust light scout attack helicopter solutions to US and allied nations around the world.”
MD Helicopters has an additional 24 aircraft contracted via the IDIQ contract vehicle. Future deliveries remain on schedule, according to the company.
The Cayuse Warrior is armed with FN Herstal built HMP400 LCC coaxial airborne weapon system with a machine gun pod featuring a .50cal FN M3P machine gun. They can also be fitted with an extended range weapons wing that serves as an integrated weapons platform and comes with an internal fuel tank that increases the carrying aircraft’s range and endurance.
