Afghan Air Force's MD 530F Cayuse helicopters performed their first combat operation

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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Afghanistan
 
 
 
Afghan Air Force's MD 530F Cayuse helicopters performed their first combat operation
 
Afghan Air Force's MD 530F Cayuse light attack helicopters have recently performed their first combat operation. The "Cayuse" rotorcraft flew alongside the Afghan Air Force’s Mil Mi-17 transport helicopters based at Kabul as part of Operation Iron Triangle on 11 August.
     
Afghan Air Force's MD 530F Cayuse light attack helicopters have recently performed their first combat operation. The "Cayuse" rotorcraft flew alongside the Afghan Air Force’s Mil Mi-17 transport helicopters based at Kabul as part of Operation Iron Triangle on 11 August. An Afghan Air Force MD 530F attack helicopter flies over Forward Operating Base Connelly, Nangarhar province, in support of Operation Iron Triangle Aug. 11, 2015
(Credit: Train Advise Assist Command-East)
     
 “This operation marks the first successful employment of armed MD-530 helicopters in support of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces as they continue clearing the districts of Khogyani, Sherzad and Hisarak of insurgents,” said Train Advise Assist Command-East, which is supporting NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.

The first six armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Scout Attack Helicopters were delivered to the Afghan Air Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, in March 2015. Under a $36 million contract awarded by the US Army last September, MD Helicopters was to boost the Afghan’s 530F inventory from five to 17 aircraft, and a $44 million contract modification awarded a month later would upgrade the entire fleet to the Cayuse Warrior configuration.

The MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopter will be armed with FN HMP400 LCC (links and case collector) coaxial airborne weapon system developed by FN Herstal. The machine gun pod features .50cal FN M3P machine gun. The weapon system supports all types of 12.7mmx99mm NATO ammunition rounds. The helicopter will also be attached with Mace Aviation-developed Extended Range Weapons Wing (ER2W), which has four weapons stations and a 35 gallon internal fuel tank.