Upgraded MD530s delivered to Afghanistan

On 10 May 2021, MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) showed some video footage of a road transport of at least four MD530Fs Cayuse Warrior light attack and reconnaissance helicopters from the company's production facility at Mesa (AZ) to Phoenix/Mesa Gateway airport. This airport is regularly used for delivery of these helicopters as airfreight.

In the video footage no serials or roundels were noted, but clearly visible were the weapon mounting points and the distinctive camouflage pattern of the Afghan Air Force (AAF).

The Facebook page from Gateway Aviation Services showed the air transport of seven MD530Fs with a National Airlines Boeing 747-426BCF on 13 May 2021. The B747 freighter, registration N919CA and flight number N8349, departed to Kabul (Afghanistan) with stops at Dover AFB (DE) and Frankfurt (Germany). It arrived in Kabul on 14 May 2021.

On 16 October 2020, Scramble Magazine reported on a contract for MDI to retrofit eighteen legacy MD530F helicopters operated by the AAF with ballistic-tolerant crashworthy fuel systems (CWFS). MDHI has performed the retrofit of the CWFS for each helicopter in Afghanistan. On 3 December 2021, MDHI secured a USD 34 million US Army contract to provide logistics support for the AAF MD530F fleet. Under the terms of the contract, MDHI will provide maintenance, repairs, updates, and overhauls of the aircraft in Mesa (AZ) and Kabul (Afghanistan). The estimated completion date for all work is 31 May 2021.

Details on the seven MD530Fs are unknown. If you have more information, please let us know as This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photo by Mesa Gateway Services