MD Helicopters to supply 6 Cayuse Warrior Plus helicopters and 6 armed MD530F upgrades to Middle-East customer.

MD Helicopters (MDH) on August 9 announced a contract signing with a Middle East customer to provide six Cayuse Warrior Plus Attack/Scout helicopters with precision weapons capability, and six MD 530F glass cockpit upgrades. The twelve aircraft will support counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations by providing area security, tactical reconnaissance, convoy escort, and drug interdiction throughout the country. The Armed MD 530F aircraft will receive glass cockpit upgrades at MD Helicopters in Mesa, AZ. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2024 for all twelve aircraft.

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The ‘Plus’ version of the Cayuse Warrior features mission enhancements that include the precision weapons system (Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, APKWS), avionics improvements, and armor (Picture source: MD Helicopters)

“We are honored for the trust ally forces have put in us to provide safe, reliable assets for their security missions,” says MD Helicopters President and CEO Brad Pederson. “We are excited to showcase the capabilities of this purpose-built, best-value solution.”

The Middle East selection includes a complete logistics package including initial provisions, spares, and pilot and maintainer training.

The MD 530F Cayuse Warrior is a light scout/attack helicopter developed from the Vietnam-era OH-6 Cayuse. It incorporates a simple fixed-forward sighting system, a Belgian FN Herstal weapons management system, a Rohde & Schwarz M3AR tactical mission radio, and a Dillon Aero mission configurable armament system (MCAS) weapons plank. Performance: Service ceiling 16,000 feet (4,900 m), range 235 nautical miles (435 km), cruising speed 135 nautical miles (250 km) per hour. Weapons: Two hardpoints for FN HMP400 gun pod with FN M3P .50 BMG (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun (1100 rpm firing rate, carries 400 rounds ammo, effective firing range nearly 1,850 m, maximum firing range 6500 m) and/or M260 rocket pod with 7 unguided Hydra 70 rockets (effective firing range: 8 km).

The Cayuse Warrior and the MD 530F are proven tactical scout and light attack aircraft valued for their power, safety, speed, agility, and unparalleled confined area capabilities. The Cayuse Warrior Plus is a derivative of the Cayuse Warrior with MX-10D laser-guided capability. The ‘Plus’ version features mission enhancements that include the precision weapons system (Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, APKWS), avionics improvements, and armor.