Texas-based MD Helicopters has finally handed over six of its MD 530G light scout attack helicopters to the Malaysian defense ministry at the company's Texas training centre in the United States. via agent Halaman Optima/Destini Prima.
Delivery of six helicopters was originally supposed happen in two batches - the first two by July 2017, and the other four scheduled to arrive by December 2018. But delivery was repeatedly delayed over “technical” and other issues.
A delivery deadline was then set up by the end of 2020, but that timeline set by the Malaysia’s Army chief also slipped due to certain undisclosed reasons , after Malaysia ordered the MD 530Gs in early 2016 under a contract estimated to be worth $76.4 million.
The helicopters are now in transit to Malaysia for final acceptance and are expected to arrive in-country by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
As part of the original contract, eight pilots and nine mechanics from the 881st Regiment of Malaysia Army Aviation completed forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operations training in West Texas from April 24 till August 13, with the MD 530Gs carrying U.S. civil registration.
“We are very pleased to accept the delivery of this outstanding aircraft at MD Helicopters on behalf of the Malaysian defense ministry. It is with great excitement that we are able to take this program to the next stage.
We look forward to the equipment’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur to complete the in-country final acceptance training,” Destini Prima’s senior vice president Ek Sing Nguong said.
Malaysia plans to use these helicopters against the Smuggling and piracy, that have also occasionally spilled over into the eastern Malaysian waters, along with gangs from the Philippines crossing the sea to raid Sabah’s popular beach resorts, sometimes kidnapping tourists for ransom.
The 530G is the latest light attack helicopter configuration based on the model 500/530 airframe. The 530G for Malaysia integrates the Wescam L3 MX10D sensor and the Pathfinder Ares Weapons Management System from Tek Fusion.
The MD 530G can employ guided munitions, such as the BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rocket, and comes with a full ‘glass' cockpit as standard, which is an option on the MD 530F.
All these integrated systems are aimed to support the Dillion M134 mini gun, FN Herstal heavy machine gun and rocket machine gun pods, as well as the 2.75-inch folding-fin aerial rockets. The helicopter has the capability to provide Malaysia with close-in support night or day, as well as a reconnaissance capability.
“The 530G continues to build on the outstanding history of the MDHI light scout attack platform. It is easy to maintain, incredibly agile, and with over 27,000,000 flight hours, mission ready.
MDHI is pleased to be a part of helping the Malaysian government provide land and maritime security,” MDHI vice president of programs Duncan Koerbel added.
MD Helicopters, Inc. (Earlier McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems) is an USA based aerospace manufacturer. It manufactures light utility helicopters for both commercial and military use.
The company was a subsidiary of Hughes Aircraft until year 1984, After McDonnell Douglas acquisition, it was renamed as McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems. Current name MD Helicopters came in the late 1990s when McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing.
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