MD Helicopters In

Military Service

MD Helicopters

50+ YEARS OF PROVEN MILITARY PERFORMANCE

MD has been at the forefront of scout attack helicopter production for more than five decades. We deliver fast and agile purpose-built rotorcraft supporting a full range of mission profiles faster and more cost-effectively than anybody in the industry.

Proven Quality

MD is known for producing safe, agile, and hard-working rotorcraft that deliver agility, payload, speed, and performance. We’ll continue to accept nothing less.

Superior Support

We pursue consistent excellence in all we do. Drawing upon our decades of expertise, MD is cultivating a new level of superior support.

Unwavering Focus

We are who we are because our operators demand the best. Whether civilian or military, we show up and earn your trust daily.

Dependable & TURNKEY

The company’s longest running program began in the early 1960s, when the Hughes 369 design won US Army competition to produce the OH-6A Cayuse light Observation Helicopter (LOACH).

The OH-6A Cayuse entered service in September 1966, establishing 23 world records in speed, distance and altitude.

More than 1400 OH-6As were built throughout the ensuing decade.

Legacy of Proven Combat Performance & Multi-Mission Capability

Royal Jordanian Air Force - MD 530F

Philippines Air Force - MD 500E

Saudi Arabian National Guard - MD 530F

Afghanistan Air Force AMM - MD 530F

El Salvador Air Force - MD 500E

Korean Air Force - MD 500D

Italian Air Force - MD 500E

Japan Ground Defence Force MD 500E

Current Miltary Operations

In 2011, MDHI returned to its military roots, manufacturing and delivering the MD 530F commercial aircraft to the U.S. Army Non standard Rotary Wing Aviation Program Office to support the Afghan Air Force Training Fleet.

Exceeding expectations in performance and capabilities, the U.S. Army expanded the mission in 2014,and requested MDHI weaponize the MD 530F training aircraft to support combat operations.

Within 7 months, MDHI delivered the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior armed with .50 Calibre machine guns.

In 2015, MDHI added fixed forward sighting and aerial rocket capability.

To date, 60 Cayuse Warriors have been delivered to the Afghan Air Force for use in both training and daily combat operations in theater. Over 13000 hours have been flown, with operational readiness exceeding 91 %.