Nigeria Purchases 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus Scout/Attack Helicopters From MD Helicopters
The Nigerian federal government signed a contract with Arizona-based rotorcraft manufacturer MD Helicopters to purchase 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus Scout/Attack helicopters to support counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country. The purchase of the new attack helicopters is part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve the capabilities of the Nigerian Army Aviation to carry out their constitutional duties in a joint environment.
The contract, according to MD Helicopters, includes 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus Scout/Attack helicopters, as well as a complete ILS package, spare parts, pilot and maintainer training, and a simulator. The company also stated that the delivery of the aforementioned helicopters to Nigeria will begin in the fourth quarter of 2023.
According to Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus attack helicopters will operationalize the Nigerian army aviation unit, which was established to increase the agility, responsiveness, and effectiveness of ground troops during operations. The general added by saying that it would also contribute to the joint and coalition troops’ overall operational success. MD Helicopters President and CEO Brad Pedersen stated, “MD Helicopters is grateful for the trust of the Nigerian government, and we’re excited to showcase this purpose built, best value solution to Nigeria and the world.”
The MD 530F Cayuse Warrior, manufactured by MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), is an improved armed version of the OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopter. The MD-530F is powered by a 650shp (shaft horsepower) Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine. The light helicopter has a top speed of 248km/h, a range of 430km, and a service ceiling of 5,700 meters. The MD-530F is 9.8 meters long, 2.6 meters tall, and has an 8.38-meter-diameter main rotor. It has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 1,406kg and a curb weight of 722kg.
The helicopter boasts a cutting-edge NVIS interior that enhances security during tactical missions, night patrols, and surveillance. The improved certified glass cockpit is equipped with a Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert System (EICAS), a Garmin GTN 750 Touch NAV/COM/GPS, and a Garmin G500TXi Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). The helicopters are also equipped with WESCAM MX-10D EO/IR laser designators, 62mm ballistic armor, FN Herstal weapons pods with .50 caliber HMP 400 machine guns, M260 7-shot rocket pods, and 70mm/2.75′′ APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System) rockets.
Nigeria is expected to employ these helicopters to combat terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have been active in the country since the early 2000s. Nigeria had previously purchased A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States in order to combat these terrorist organizations. Nigeria also expects to receive six T129 ATAK attack helicopters and six Bayraktar TB2s ordered from Turkey in the near future.