MD Helicopters to Feature Single-Engine Glass Cockpits, Multi-Mission Capable Aircraft at HAI Heli-Expo 2018

At the 2018 HAI Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, NV, MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) displays two of its single-engine helicopter models, each featuring an advanced all-glass cockpit. The cornerstones of MDHI’s booth (#N5505) will be the Virginia Beach Police Department’s new MD 530F alongside one of six (6) MD 530G attack helicopters ordered by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence. The glass cockpit solutions featured in these aircraft will be FAA-certified and available to all MD 530 airframe operators. 

“I have long believed that this industry’s customers—like all others—covet only two attributes from product: design and disruption,” says Lynn Tilton, chief executive officer of MD Helicopters. “The aircraft on display at Heli-Expo this year reflects well that this philosophy has been embraced by our company. MDHI has demonstrated it is equally committed to delivering the elegance of design and disruptive technologies as excellence in product performance and customer support.”

Following MDHI’s 2017 commitment to deliver block changes to all MDHI-branded helicopter models—specifically glass cockpits—the 2018 MD Helicopters booth is a testament to the company’s ability to integrate next-generation technologies into its fleet of proven airframes.

Virginia Beach Police Department MD 530F

The Virginia Beach Police Department Aviation Unit will welcome its first MD 530F helicopter in June of this year. The right-hand command F-model features a glass cockpit configuration that includes:

• Howell Instruments engine instruments displays
• Garmin 500TXi MFD/PFD
• Garmin GTN650 nav/comm display
• L-3 ESI-500 electronic standby indicator.

The aircraft, powered by the Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650shp turbine engine, also features extended landing gear, a Fargo 21-gallon auxiliary fuel tank, wire strike protection system, high-contrast main rotor blades, the FLIR® Star SAFIRE 380HDc EOIR system, a new TrakkaBeam® A800 searchlight, and an NVISB interior to provide enhanced visibility for officers during low-light operations.

“Law enforcement operators are an important facet of this company’s history, present and future,” Tilton continues. “We are excited to welcome Virginia Beach to our family and look forward to this and future MD 530F additions to their fleet.”

MD 530G Attack Helicopter for Malaysian Army Aviation

As one of six (6) MD 530G helicopters ordered by Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence for delivery to Malaysian Army Aviation, the MD 530G-glass cockpit features:

• Two (2) Genesys Aerosystems IDU-680 6” x 9” LCD primary displays
• Tek Fusion Global’s PATHFINDER™ Mission Management System (MMS) and “ARES” Weapons Management System (WMS) on dual side-mounted mission displays.

The MD 530G is purpose-built for agile deployment with any rotary-wing unit. The aircraft features increased capacity landing gear to support the 3,950 MGTOW (max gross takeoff weight), allowing increased useful load for additional range, endurance and weapons.

“This aircraft is perfectly suited for Malaysia’s operational environment,” says Tilton. “We are proud of the advanced systems and improved capabilities offered by the 530G and eager to announce additional customers for this highly capable platform.”

In addition to expanding a number of customer support capabilities, MD Helicopters’ Aftermarket and Customer Support organization continues to see improvements in performance throughout 2017.

Enhancements to the MyMD.aero portal will provide MDHI customers with a wide range of additional features, including Software as a Service solution and mobile access as examples.

"I am, as always, indelibly proud of my team and our accomplishments,” Tilton concludes. “We have indeed revitalized this company into a major player in our industry, both among military and commercial customers.”

To learn more, stop by the MDHI booth, #N5505, during the annual HAI Heli-Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, Feb. 27-March 1, 2018.