MD Helicopters awarded contract for Afghan Air Force MD-530F helicopters


MD Helicopters Inc., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $34,042,295 modification to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0038 for logistics support for the Afghanistan Air Force MD-530F helicopters fleet.

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MD Helicopters awarded contract for Afghan Air Force MD 530F helicopters 1

Afghan Air Force pilots standby during their pre-flight brief prior to take off with their MD-530F from Hamid Karzai International Airport (Kabul) for an all-Afghan combat mission Sept. 27, 2015. The crews took off from  Afghanistan (Picture source: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Sandra Welch)


Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona; and Kabul, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2021. Fiscal 2021 Afghanistan Security Forces (Army) funds in the amount of $34,042,295 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems MD 500 Defender is a light multi-role military helicopter based on the MD 500 light utility helicopter and OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter. The upgraded version designated MD-530F incorporates a 6-bladed, fully articulated rotor blade system made of composite material, a more rugged landing skid for heavier take-off and landing weights, a fully integrated digital glass cockpit with multi-function color displays and a pilot Helmet Display and Tracking System (HDTS), which couples together a targeting FLIR and laser designator.


MD Helicopters awarded contract for Afghan Air Force MD 530F helicopters 2

Afghan Air Force MD-530F (Picture source: U.S. Air Force)