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Afghan Air Force receives new MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the delivery of the first five (5) MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Afghan Air Force in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Delivered in less than 10 months from the September 2017 contract award, the first five aircraft reached Kandahar on August 8, 2018, and were readied for active service in less than 10 days, a statement by MD Helicopters stated. The statement further added that the aircraft are the first of a new generation of MD 530F Cayuse Warriors with improved systems and equipment. This comes as efforts are underway by the Afghan government and the international allies of Afghanistan to boost the capabilities of the Afghan national defense and security forces, specifically the Afghan Air Force. The coalition forces officials in Afghanistan had earlier said that the size of the Afghan Air Force will be tripled over the next five years with the addition of new equipment and aircraft. On the other Pentagon announced last week that a new contract worth $1.8 billion has been awarded to Sierra Nevada Corporation in support of the Afghan Air Force. "Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a ceiling $1,808,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for potential procurement, sustainment, modifications, ferry, and related equipment for the A-29," Pentagon said in a statement. The statement further added "Work will be performed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; and Kabul, Kandahar, and Mazari Sharif Air Bases, Afghanistan. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. This contract involves foreign military sales to Afghanistan." Posted by: trailing wife 2018-09-13 |
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