MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) has formally handed over six MD 530G armed reconnaissance and light attack rotorcraft to Malaysia, the company announced on 13 January.
The latest-generation ‘Little Bird’ helicopters were delivered to the Malaysian Ministry of Defense (MoD) at the company’s Texas training centre in the United States. They are currently being transported to Malaysia, arriving before the end of the first quarter of (Q1) 2022.
Malaysia became the launch customer for the MD 530G when it signed for six helicopters in February 2016. The MD 530G is the latest standard of MDHI’s range of light attack and scout helicopters based on the Model 369FF ‘Little Bird’ airframe (Boeing utilizes the same airframe for its AH-6i platform.
The 530G is the latest in a long line of light attack helicopter configurations based on the Model 500/530 airframe. The 530G for Malaysia continues to raise the bar on performance with the integration of the Wescam L3 MX10D sensor and the Pathfinder Ares Weapons Management System from Tek Fusion.
The helicopters, equipped with Belgian-made 50-calibre machine gun pods and seven-shot pods for 70mm rockets, are expected to be based in Sabah.
The helicopters, reportedly costing $77 million, are expected to be part of the Malaysian Army’s plans for three aviation squadrons for light observation, heavy lift, and attack duties.
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