MD Helicopters has delivered three additional MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light scout attack helicopters to Hamid Karzai International Airport. With this delivery, MD Helicopters has fulfilled – in less than 10 months – all requirements of an October 2015 contract awarded by the U.S. Department of the Army Non-Standard Rotary Wing Program Office for 12 additional aircraft. The total number of armed MD 530F Cayuse Warriors now in service with the Afghan Air Force (AAF) is 27.

The Afghan Air Force has been operating the MD 530F as a primary rotary wing training aircraft (PRWT) since 2011. In October 2014, the first 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior gunships – featuring two FN Herstal .50 calibre HMP 400 Machine Gun Pods – were ordered to support the 2015 fighting season. These aircraft were delivered to theatre within nine months of the contract award and recorded several successful missions within the first three months. According to the manufacturer, these gunships continue to meet or exceed operational expectations.

In January 2016, MD Helicopters announced the contract for an additional 12 Cayuse Warriors to include an Enhanced Mission Equipment configuration, as well as the retrofit of all previously delivered MD 530Fs. The Enhanced Mission Equipment Package (EMEP) features an M260 2.75” seven-shot rocket pod, and the DillonAero fixed-forward sight system.