Afghan Air Force has started operational fielding of its MD-530 Warrior close air support helicopter, the newest in its arsenal to suppo...
Afghan Air Force has started operational fielding of its MD-530 Warrior close air support helicopter, the newest in its arsenal to support convoy escort, aerial reconnaissance, armed over-watch, and close air support to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).
The MD-530s and Mi-17 helicopters departed Hamid Karzai International Airport to participate in counter insurgency operations in Helmand province on Sept. 27
AAF pilots have gone from zero light-attack experience to operational sorties in just six months. The delivery of the first six armed MD-530 helicopters occurred in March 2015. By early 2016, the AAF will have 16 in their inventory.
The MD-530, modified for high altitude and hot weather operations, will provide critical offensive air-to-ground capability, armed with two HMP 400 .50-caliber machine gun pods, which enables Afghan pilots to effectively engage the enemy.
To accommodate the extra weight of the equipment, the helicopters were upgraded with high-capacity landing gear, allowing take-off and landing with a maximum weight of 3,750 pound (1,700 kg) through the incorporation of jettisonable external fuel tanks.
The AAF are preparing for the delivery of 20 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano counter insurgency turboprops that will go into the AAF inventory. The aircraft, Afghan pilots, and maintainers are currently at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, completing mission training. The first aircraft are expected to arrive in Afghanistan in early 2016.
AAF is also operating Mi-35 attack helicopter and, machine gun and rocket pod equipped Mi-17 for close-air support and counter insurgency operations.
