{
  "id": "md-530f-cayuse-warrior",
  "name": "MD 530F Cayuse Warrior",
  "aliases": [
    "MD530 Cayuse Warrior"
  ],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Scout attack helicopter",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2011,
  "operators": [
    "USA"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "An evolution of the fabled OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopter and known for speed, safety, agility and the ability to operate with ease in confined spaces, the Armed MD530F Light Scout Attack Helicopter delivers increased operational capabilities, greater mission versatility and superior performance in the execution of a broad…",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Hughes Helicopters McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems MD Helicopters",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 2,
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hardpoints",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 ea",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.62,
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "1 x 1 x Rolls-Royce 250-C30",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "425 hp",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of climb",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "631 m/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 5700,
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Endurance",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "2.2 hours",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Radio",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Rhode & Schwarz M3AR tactical radio system",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmitter/Receiver",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Honeywell KY196 transmitter/receiver and KT76 transponder or a Rockwell Collins VHF-251 and TDR-950 transceiver and responder",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Antennas",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Aviatech tactical communication antennas",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Direction Finder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Honeywell KR-85 automatic direction finder",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Navigation System",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Honeywell dual KX175 navigation system",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Night-Flying Capable",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, night-flying lighting",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Gyroscope",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Attitude and directional gyroscopes",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Sighting",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Dillon Aero mission configurable aircraft system and fixed forward sighting system",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor Type",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Kinetic Defense ballistic armor panels",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Crew Cabin",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The crew cabin features a glazed nose for maximum forward visibility.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "v": "Hydra 70 Rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Hydra 70 Rocket",
      "role": "2.75-inch (70 mm) diameter fin-stabilized unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "2.75-inch (70 mm) diameter fin-stabilized unguided rocket",
        "Guidance": "Unguided",
        "Speed": "739 m/s"
      },
      "range_km": 10.5
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "500D Scout Defender",
      "text": "Armed reconnaissance version",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "500M Defender",
      "text": "Military export version of the 500 and 500C, built under license by Kawasaki in Japan (as the OH-6J)[7] and Breda Nardi in Italy.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "500M/ASW Defender",
      "text": "Export version for the Spanish Navy.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "NH-500M Defender",
      "text": "Italian-built version of the 500M Defender. Licensed by Breda Nardi before merge with Agusta.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "500MD Defender",
      "text": "Military version of the 500D. Korean Air's aerospace division from 1976 to 1984 with 200 choppers made. 50 were armed with TOW anti-tank missiles and 150 choppers used for transportation and support duties.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "500MD/ASW Defender",
      "text": "Maritime version of the 500MD Defender.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "500MD/TOW Defender",
      "text": "Anti-tank version of the 500MD Defender, armed with TOW anti-tank missiles.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "500MD/MMS-TOW Defender",
      "text": "Anti-tank version, fitted with a mast-mounted sight, armed with TOW anti-tank missiles.",
      "src": [
        "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "helicopter",
  "image": {
    "file": "md-530f-cayuse-warrior.jpg",
    "thumb": "md-530f-cayuse-warrior-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Staff Sgt. Perry Aston (USAF)",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Afghan_Air_Force_MD-530F_helicopter_fires_machine_guns.jpg",
    "title": "File:Afghan Air Force MD-530F helicopter fires machine guns.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/md-530f-cayuse-warrior.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-md-530f-cayuse-warrior": {
      "title": "MD 530F Cayuse Warrior American Scout Attack Helicopter",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/MD_530F_Cayuse_Warrior_American_Scout_Attack_Helicopter",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}