Old family and new components. Multipurpose helicopter MD 530F (USA)
Helicopter MD 530F in civilian version
A technically and operationally successful helicopter can undergo upgrades over and over again and remain in production and service for a long time. A good example of such a design is the American Hughes / McDonnell Douglas MD 530F multipurpose helicopter. It was created in the early eighties on the basis of a fairly old car, but is still being produced and becomes the basis for new modifications.
Long pedigree
History The MD 530F project dates back to the early sixties, when the US Army launched a competition to design a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). The winner of this program was Hughes Helicopters with their Model 369 project. This helicopter entered service in 1966 under the official designation OH-6A Cayuse.
In parallel with the work on the future military helicopter, a unified civilian vehicle Model 500 was being designed. Already in 1967, it was brought to the market, and soon the first commercial contracts began to be fulfilled. In addition, the development of new modifications with certain features began almost immediately. As a result, by the beginning of the eighties, a full-fledged family of equipment was formed under the general name Hughes 500.
In the early eighties, "Hughes" developed a new modification of the helicopter - Hughes 530F with an improved power plant and a new instrument complex. On October 22, 1982, a prototype of this type took off for the first time. Tests and certification were completed in mid-1983, and at the beginning of the next year, the first production helicopters went to customers.
In January 1984, Hughes Helicopters was acquired by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. A few months later, it was renamed McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems. Together with the company, helicopters also changed their name. So, the newest car was now designated as MD 530F - and under this name it received the widest popularity.
Subsequently, the former Hughes helicopter production changed owners and reorganized several times. So, in 1997, it, together with McDonnell-Douglas, became part of Boeing, and then the civilian production was sold again. As a result of all these transformations, the modern company MD Helicopters, Inc. was formed. At the same time, the designations of the equipment did not change anymore.
Reconnaissance and combat MD 530F Cayuse Warrior in flight
New versions
With all its advantages, by the end of the nineties, the MD 530F helicopter was obsolete. In this regard, MD Helicopters carried out its first deep modernization. The fuselage, power plant, support system and a number of general helicopter systems remained unchanged. At the same time, the instrumentation was radically revised and updated. At the same time, the improved MD 530F was not considered as a new modification.
The next step in the development of the family was the creation of the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior reconnaissance and combat helicopter. It features a new set of avionics and communications equipment for solving combat missions. In addition, the installation of cannon and missile weapons is provided.
In 2013, an experienced MD 530G helicopter took off for the first time. It is distinguished by a more developed sighting and navigation system with the ability to work at night. Also, some samples of guided weapons were integrated and the ammunition carried was increased.
In 2015, MD Helicopters and Boeing introduced the Unmanned Little Bird prototype helicopter. He retained all the characteristics, but received new control systems. Depending on the task at hand, such a helicopter can fly with pilots in the cockpit or in unmanned mode.
It is very likely that the development of the MD 530F will not stop there. This machine still shows high performance and remains a fairly successful multi-purpose platform. In addition, the renewal processes of the MD 530F can positively influence the further development of other machines in the MD 500 family - and influence their commercial success.
Modern development
MD 530F in all versions is a light multipurpose helicopter, externally and in design similar to other members of the "500" family. The helicopter is built on the basis of a drop-shaped fuselage with a thin tail boom, T-shaped tail and ski landing gear. The main part of the units is made of aluminum alloys.
Afghan Army Cayuse Warrior helicopter delivery
The main difference between the MD 530F and previous modifications was the use of a 250 hp Alisson / Rolls Royce 30-C650 gas turbine engine. Due to such a power plant, an increase in altitude characteristics was obtained and efficiency was improved. Through the main gearbox, power is distributed to a five-bladed main rotor with a diameter of 8,33 m and a two-bladed tail rotor.
Most of the fuselage volume is occupied by the cockpit. In its front part, which has a large glazing area, two pilots are placed. Behind them, there is a volume for two or three passengers or cargo. The payload of the helicopter of the basic modification reaches 738 kg. For the combat version of the Cayuse Warrior, this parameter has been increased to 979 kg.
Pilots' workplaces are equipped with a common T-shaped control board with multifunctional screens, other types of indicators and various controls. The motor and propellers are controlled by simple mechanical wiring. The set of onboard equipment depends on the modification of the helicopter. For example, a combat helicopter is equipped with a Mission Configurable Armament System (MCAS) armament control complex with two indicator-sights on the windshield and other devices.
Part of the Afghan helicopter fleet
MD 530F in its original configuration has a length (including the screw) of approx. 10 m and a height of less than 2,7 m. Empty helicopter weight - approx. 720 kg. The maximum takeoff is 1700 kg. The maximum speed exceeds 280 km / h, the range is 480 km. The service ceiling is over 4300 m.
The Cayuse Warrior reconnaissance and combat helicopter has similar characteristics. At the same time, it is devoid of a passenger cabin, which gave weight savings. Instead of the cab doors, plugs are installed, on which planes with two suspension points are fixed. The helicopter can carry HMP400 containers with M3 heavy machine guns (400 rounds of ammunition) or simplified machine gun suspension systems. Also, the helicopter carries blocks M265 under
70 mm unguided rockets.
The MD 530G helicopter is distinguished by the presence of the L-3 Wescam MX-10D optoelectronic station, the "ball" of which is suspended under the nose of the fuselage. It has day and night channels, as well as a laser rangefinder-designator. The wingspan has been increased to allow for two additional suspension points. Thanks to the ECO, the helicopter can use a controlled weapon with laser homing heads.
Experienced MD 530G
Deserved popularity
The first orders for the delivery of the Hughes / MD 530F were received during the development and testing phase. This technique was built and handed over to the buyer in 1984, a little more than a year after the first flight. Later, new orders were received for large batches of helicopters. The already established reputation of the Hughes 500 family helped their appearance.
According to various sources, by now the total number of helicopters in the line has reached the level of 5,5-6 thousand and continues to grow. A significant part of these deliveries fell on the modification of the MD 530F. It was ordered by the armies of different countries, law enforcement agencies in the United States and abroad, as well as various commercial organizations.
Similar trends are observed now, however, in recent years, the bulk of sales have been provided by military customers in the person of the Pentagon and foreign structures. For example, since 2011, the United States, in the order of military-technical assistance, has purchased and transferred to Afghanistan MD 530F helicopters in multipurpose and combat performance, as well as other models of the 500th family. The plans called for the transfer of more than 200 helicopters over a long period of time. In practice, they managed to transfer less than a hundred, of which a third was MD 530F. After known events, deliveries were discontinued.
Combat load option
In 2017, Saudi Arabia received the new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior in a special configuration. During the same period, it was reported that there were orders from Jordan, Kenya and some other foreign countries. Some of the new contracts were concluded on a commercial basis, while other exports were planned in the form of assistance from the United States.
Earlier, in 2015, the first contract was signed for helicopters of the MD 530G modification. Malaysia became the starting customer of this technique. Army aviation her armed forces received and began to master such helicopters in 2017-18. Against the background of these events, the United States announced the imminent delivery of six vehicles of version "G" to the Lebanese Armed Forces - again under the aid program.
The unmanned modification of the Unmanned Little Bird interested the South Korean army, and in September 2016 a memorandum of cooperation was signed and the development of this project continued. If successful, Seoul planned to order a significant number of new helicopters, and deliveries could begin after 2021-22. However, so far the completion of the development and the signing of the contract has not been announced.
The story continues
The multipurpose helicopter MD 530F is of interest, at least for its history. It appeared almost 40 years ago and became a continuation of the family, which by that time managed to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Despite its considerable age, both the family as a whole and the MD 530F helicopter continue to develop, be produced and supplied to customers.
The number of produced and sold helicopters of the family as a whole and its main modifications continues to grow. However, by now there are many competing designs, and the representatives of the MD 500 line do not always manage to win a lucrative contract. As a result, in recent years, the bulk of the export of military helicopters is carried out at the expense of the Pentagon and within the framework of aid.
MD Helicopters does its best and continually improve its helicopters to attract new customers and meet the requirements of existing ones. It is not known whether it will be able to maintain or improve its position in the market. But it is obvious that a long history and positive operating experience are not enough to defeat competitors.
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