Afghan Air Force receives six MD 530F helicopters
The Afghan Air Force in Kabul has received six MD 530F Cayuse Warrior scout attack helicopters from MD Helicopters, the company announced on 20 March. The helicopters were delivered within six months of MD Helicopters receiving the order in October 2014.
The Cayuse Warrior was developed in response to the drawdown of coalition forces in the region. MD Helicopters developed a purpose-built, close attack helicopter to meet the capability requirements identified by the International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan for light scout attack helicopters.
The MD 530F Cayuse Warrior gunships will increase the fire capabilities of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces for the 2015 fighting season and beyond. Another six MD 530F scout attack helicopters will be active in Afghanistan in the summer of 2015. Under the current contract, the air force's fleet will have 17 MD 530F Cayuse Warriors by early 2016.
The company has also received a five-month contract modification for logistical support of the 12 additional MD 530F helicopters.
The award is valued at around $31.6 million and will serve as a bridge contract for the expanded MD 530F helicopter fleet. It will also support an aggressive increase in operational tempo. The contract is effective from the first new MD 530F delivered on 17 March, and it has an estimated completion date of 30 August.
The logistics contract covers continuous maintenance and support services, including an initial spares support package for the 12 new MD 530F helicopters ordered in October 2014. It is a modification to the original contract awarded to MD Helicopters in 2011.
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