MDHI contracts new composite manufacturers

MDHI contracted with Unitech Composites of Hayden, Idaho, to supply pitch cases, flex beams, and main rotor blades for the MD 902. The pitch cases have been in production for several months, and MDHI already has over two dozen in stock. The flex beam program is well underway, with multiple test samples manufactured and inspected with NDI and destructive testing.

Additionally, all proven MD 902 rotor blade tooling is now located at Unitech’s facility and used for blade manufacturing. Once appropriate development articles and qualification testing is complete, MDHI expects rotor blades to be in stock in 2022.

ACT Aerospace to manufacture tail boom and empennage

Unitech Composites Vice President and General Manager Joyce Hagues commented: “We deliver composite structures across a wide range of aircraft from the AH-64 Apache to the JSF F-35. We are pleased to add the MD 902 to our fleet of supported aircraft.”

MDHI contracted with ACT Aerospace of Gunnison, Utah, to manufacture the MD 520N and MD 600N tail boom and empennage. MDHI has transferred all production tooling necessary for these parts’ manufacture to ACT Aerospace. Spares of each of these parts are expected to be delivered to MDHI’s Mesa facility this fall.

Last year, MDHI made an agreement with the US Army, worth about US$34 million, to provide logistics support for the Afghanistan Air Force MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack and reconnaissance helicopter fleet.