KENYA DEFENCE FORCE ORDERS SIX ARMED MD 530F ATTACK HELICOPTERS

SECOND DELIVERY ORDER ISSUED AGAINST MDHI’S 5-YEAR, $1.4 BILLION IDIQ

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced yesterday receipt of the second Delivery Order issued against its 5-year, $1.4 billion light scout attack helicopter IDIQ contract. The firm, fixed-price award is for six (6) armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters for Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and includes initial logistics support (ILS) for the aircraft, aircraft systems and ground support equipment.

The contract was awarded through U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Initial deliveries will take place in April 2019, with all aircraft delivered prior to the August 2019 contract completion date.

“Our respect for and commitment to the warfighter is matched only by our legacy of providing the best in American-made rotorcraft to U.S. and Allied forces,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “We look forward to delivering these MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Kenya Defence Forces, enhancing their ability to provide close air support and over-watch for ground operations.”  

The IDIQ Contract vehicle ensures an estimated quantity of up to 150 armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior and/or MD 530G attack helicopters are available to U.S. and Partner Nation Military Forces. With the issuance of Delivery Order 2, MD Helicopters is currently under contract to deliver a total of 36 armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters.

KDF Cayuse Warrior Configuration

In addition to an advanced, all-glass cockpit and ballistically tolerant crashworthy fuel system, Kenya’s MD 530F Cayuse Warrior fleet will be outfitted with the full complement of mission equipment standard to the Cayuse Warrior:

• FN Herstal Weapons Management System
• DillonAero Mission Configurable Armament System (MCAS)
• DillonAero Fixed-Forward Sighting System
• 62mm ballistic armor protection
• FN Herstal .50 caliber HMP 400 Machine Gun Pods
• M260 7-shot rocket pods

The KDF’s six armed MD 530F aircraft will also include an enhanced communication system that features the Harris RF-7850A tactical radio and the Rockwell Collins HF-9000D.

All aircraft will be delivered with a full U.S. Army-awarded Airworthiness Release (AWR).

“This aircraft will be an exceptional addition to the KDF fleet,” Tilton concludes. “It is effective, efficient, and a proven performer in combat operations. It is gratifying to see this iconic airframe rise, once again, to be the standard for light scout attack helicopter operations worldwide.” 

MDHI COMPLETES INITIAL DELIVERY OF ENHANCED M 530F CAYUSE WARRIOR HELICOPTERS TO THE AFGHAN AIR FORCE

FIRST 5 OF 30 NEW MD 530F CAYUSE WARRIORS ORDERED BY THE AAF DELIVERED AND READY FOR COMBAT OPERATIONS

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced yesterday the delivery of the first five (5) MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Afghan Air Force in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Ordered against MDHI’s 5-year, $1.4 billion IDIQ, these aircraft are the first of 30 new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters that will join the AAF Aviation Unit this year. Delivered in less than 10 months from the September 2017 contract award, the first five aircraft reached Kandahar on August 8, 2018, and were readied for active service in less than 10 days.

The IDIQ Contract vehicle ensures that an estimated quantity of 150 armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior and/or MD 530G attack helicopters are available to U.S. and Partner Nation Military Aviation Forces.  

“It is an honor to deliver these first five of 30 new Cayuse Warrior aircraft to the Afghan Air Force in support of their vigilant efforts to protect their country and their citizens in the global fight against terror,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “As a proud American manufacturer of the world’s most beloved airframe, our respect for the warfighter and our commitment to delivering effective and efficient attack helicopter solutions is unmatched.”

These aircraft are the first of a new generation of MD 530F Cayuse Warriors with MDHI’s newly certified glass cockpit that includes:

• Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert System (EICAS)
• Garmin G500[H] TXi Electronic Flight Instruments (EFIS) with Touchscreen GDU 700P PFD/MFD
• Garmin GTN 650 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS
• L-3 ESI 500 Electronic Standby Instrument

Mission Equipment enhancements for the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior also consist of a ballistically tolerant crashworthy fuel system, including both the main fuel tank and a 38-gallon Auxiliary Fuel Tank.

“The MD 530F Cayuse Warrior has played a critical role in creating an effective, efficient, and sustainable air force in Afghanistan,” Tilton concludes. “It has been a proven performer in support of training and combat operations since joining the Afghan fleet, and has evolved to become the standard for light scout attack helicopter solutions worldwide.” 

Remaining aircraft deliveries on this initial Contract Delivery Order are on track to be complete well in advance of the September 2019 contract date.

VIDEO: To view a short video highlighting the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior transportability via C-17, please click here.