MD Helicopters, which recently secured an order for the MD 530G from the Malaysia Ministry of Defense, is moving forward with the next developments in its product lines, including a series of enhancements to its 902 Explorer, as well as plans for a new single-engine attack helicopter the company calls the 6XX, company owner and CEO Lynn Tilton told attendees here at Heli-Expo.
Noting that the company had been busy with the launch of the 530G as well as the ramp up of the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior, “We definitely took our attention away from the 902,” Tilton said, but added “we’re finally in place to take the first step with the relaunch and recertification of the 902.”
The helicopter recently began flight trials with the new Universal Avionics InSight integrated flight deck that replace the aging Bendix/King EFIS 40 displays. The displays are among a number of upgrades that the company is eying, including a more powerful Notar system, a lighter-weight structure, new autopilot and development of a militarized version.
The military version “will be built like the 530G on the line with complete assault and attack system,” she said, adding the development of this variant “allows us to rationalize the big expense to bring this aircraft back to the market and allow us to increase sales because today we are probably almost 60 percent in military sales.” This is up from 50 percent last year.
MD Helicopters also is focused on reducing costs, Tilton added, “by building a lot of parts in house. We are moving the fuselage production to Arizona, as well as building a composite center to build a lot of parts there.” This is a similar approach the company took to the single-engine lines to reduce price, she said. MD Helicopters hopes to deliver the first new 902s early next year.
Tilton said she plans to have the new attack helicopter, the 6XX, ready by the end of 2018; she did not identify possible customers. Carl Schopfer, chief technology officer, gave a “snapshot” of the new single-engine helicopter, saying the company has looked at a potential new cockpit, more volume, at least a 400-nm range and potential changes to rotor blades.
The 6XX will incorporate a new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/3 variant, which will improve efficiency and performance. Rolls-Royce said the engine has demonstrated up to 8 percent improvement in hot and high power and 4 percent increase in rated takeoff power at 675 shp. The engine further will provide reduced specific fuel consumption, which will increase range and payload.
MD Helicopters is launching the M250-C47E/3 for the MD 530-series, in addition to the growth-derivatives airframes.