Page 22 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 Online Magazine

Six MD530Gs were ordered in a US$75.98
million contract inked with MD Helicopters in
2015. The MD530G light scout attack helicop-
ter has its roots in the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
light observation helicopter that was devel-
oped in the early 1960s and saw heavy use in [ AIR SYSTEMS ]
the Vietnam war. Further development of the
Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, by McDonnell Douglas
Helicopter Systems (today, MD Helicopters,
Inc.), resulted in the MD500 helicopter family
in both military and civilian versions. Powered
with a Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft engine,
the MD530G is able to reach a maximum speed
of 282 km/h. It also has an endurance of about
2.5 hours or a maximum range of 426 km with
a 204 km/h cruising speed. With a maximum
take-off weight of about 1,701 kg, the MD530G
is equipped with an electro-optical and infra-
From 2021 onwards, all RTAF pilots are learning to fly a helicop- red sensor as well as a Helmet Display and
ter through the H135 trainer. The RTAF inked the contract for six Tracking System (HDTS). It also has two exter-
H135s at the 2020 Singapore Air Show and are the RTAF’s first nal pylons that enable it to carry a combination
military training helicopters. They will complement the Royal Thai of armaments, ranging from GAU-19 multi-bar-
Air Force’s existing H225M fleet, bringing its Airbus fleet to 18 relled 12.7 mm caliber guns, rocket pods for
units. The RTAF’s H135s are configured with two external cameras, unguided or guided 2.75 inch rockets, to two
providing pilots with a 360-degree view of the external environ- pairs of AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles.
ment, tactical systems and the Euronav7 moving map, enhancing
situational awareness while offering the highest levels of func- The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) oper-
tionality, interface capability and flexibility to meet the Air Force’s ates a fleet of 12 H225M helicopters, which
demanding mission requirements. The helicopters are also fitted were inducted starting 2012, while the Royal
with air-conditioning systems, tinted windows, and height-adjust- Malaysian Navy operates AS555 SN Fennec
able pilot seats for enhanced comfort. Airbus Helicopters has also rotorcraft since 2003. The RMN’s Fennecs
been contracted to provide comprehensive maintenance support serve as training platform to fulfil the necessary
via its HCare Smart full-by-the-hour programme. standard and qualification requirements for the
naval air crews and technicians before they are
Since 2012, the RTAF has ordered a total of 12 H225Ms which are transferred to its Super Lynx helicopters. They
used for combat search and rescue, search and rescue flights can also perform surface warfare, naval gun
and troop transport missions. The RTAF’s H225M are specially spotter and SAR missions, medical and casualty
equipped with fast roping, cargo sling, search light and elec- evacuation, vertical replenishment, maritime
tro-optical systems (EOS) to perform combat search and rescue special operations, intelligence, aerial photog-
(CSAR) missions, search and rescue (SAR) flights, troop trans- raphy, mercy flights and joint operations with
port operations and other tasks. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Thailand’s largest military branch and in addition to conventional Malaysia also houses the region’s only training
military undertakings, its airborne arm is responsible for emergency simulators for the H225 and H225M helicop-
medical services (EMS), evacuation, reconnaissance and utility ser- ters, as well as a second simulator for AS365
vices. The Royal Thai Air Force, Army, Navy, Police and the Survey Dauphin training, located at Airbus Helicopters
Department also operate other Airbus helicopters types such as Malaysia Simulation Centre in Subang.
the H125M, UH72, AS365 and H175. The Royal Thai Police operated
two super medium H175 and five H155 for passenger transportation
as of September 2020, and two AS365 N3+ for search and rescue
missions. The RTA also operates at least 10 Russian Helicopters
Mi-17V-5 utility helicopters.

The Malaysian armed forces are also looking to induct new rotor-
craft and the Royal Malaysia Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia / TDM)
is to start taking deliveries of MD530G light scout attack helicop-
ters from the USA, before the end of the year. Malaysia is also
looking to lease helicopters to replace the gap left by the retirement
of S61A-4 Nuri helicopters

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