Utility Helos Headed To Afghanistan As Training Aircraft

The U.S. Army took delivery Tuesday of six MD530F helicopters at the company's facility in Mesa Arizona. The delivery is part of a package that will eventually supply as many as 54 aircraft under the Department of the Army Rotary Wing Primary Training Aircraft (TWPTA) contract worth $186 million.

Photo Courtesy MD Helicopters

The Arizona Republic reports that the contract has been a key factor in the recovery of MD Helicopters, which had experienced severe financial hardships six years ago. The deal was finalized in March, and the first deliveries came just two days shy of its six-month anniversary ... which MD says is about 45 days ahead of schedule.

The contract was awarded shortly after DoD officials came under fire for acquiring and refurbishing 31 Russian-built Mi-17 transport helicopters for the Afghanistan Army.

The company was reportedly near liquidation in 2005 when it was acquired by Patriarch Partners, a $6 billion equity firm owned by Lynn Tilton. She told the paper she hopes the contract will lead to other defense contracts for her company. At the ceremony, Army program executive officer for aviation Maj. Gen. Tim Crosby said there have "been some inquiries" about eventually putting weapons on the -530Fs.

FMI: www.mdhelicopters.com