In September, US-based MD Helicopters announced that it had been awarded a 5-year contract to provide an estimated 150 armed MD 530 aircraft to the US Armed Forces and partner nations. The contract has an estimated completion date of September 30, 2022 and a total value of $1.4 billion.
The first deliveries will be 30 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters for the Afghan Air Force. Valued at $176.6 million, these first aircraft will be configured with newly certified Block 1 glass cockpit, featuring the Howell Instruments Engine Instrumentation System, Garmin GDU 620 Electronic Flight Instruments, Garmin GTN 650H Communication/Navigation/Global Positioning System (COM/NAV/GPS), and Northern Airborne Technology Cabin Audio System.
