(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Holmes) The final four MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters have arrived at the Ham...
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A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III arrived with these scout attack helicopters to the country on Aug 25 from Travis Air Force Base, California.
Like the previous shipment of five MD-530s in July 2016, these newest helicopters are equipped with the Enhanced Mission Equipment Package (EMEP), that features an M260 2.75” 7-shot rocket pod, and the DillonAero fixed-forward sight system.
The first 13 shipments were only equipped with the two FN Herstal .50 calibre HMP 400 Machine Gun Pods on stub wings.
In January 2016, MD Helicopters announced the contract for an additional 12 Cayuse Warrior helicopters to include an Enhanced Mission Equipment configuration, as well as the retrofit of all previously delivered
MD 530Fs.
The Afghan Air Force has been operating the MD 530F as a primary rotary wing training aircraft (PRWT) since 2011. The armed MD-530s began flying combat missions in September 2015.
The MD-530 is providing a critical air-to-ground capability, enabling Afghan pilots to engage the enemy. They are flying multiple missions a day across Afghanistan and often engaged in providing aerial escort to convoys, providing over-watch to ANDSF operations and responding to ‘troops in contact’ situations.
Despite being based at Kabul, MD-530 operations have expanded to support south, central and eastern Afghanistan. They can be transported by AAF's C-130 transport to where they are needed.
These final four will help support operations in northern Afghanistan.
The Cayuse is powered by a single Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft engine, which generates a max power of 485 kW.
The helicopter can fly at a maximum cruise speed of 248 km/h and has a maximum range of 430 km and service ceiling of 5,700 m.
