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Rafael MD 530F HeliCOAT
History:
The MD 530F is a light, agile, and versatile helicopter used as an armed reconnaissance and light attack helicopter. It is the evolution of the MD 500, which was also popular in military and attack missions. The main improvements over previous versions are that it has a more powerful 650 hp engine, which increases its maximum speed and climb rate. Another advantage is that, being a small helicopter, it is very maneuverable and difficult to detect by the enemy.
Chile acquired 5 of these helicopters (H-184 to H-188) in 1989. Due to their good results, 6 more were ordered in 1990 (H-131 to H-136) and in 1994 a new batch of five was ordered and another of five the following year (H-189 to H-198). These helicopters are armed with seven-barreled 70mm rocket launchers, 12.7 mm machine gun pods, and in the early 1990s the Israeli company Rafael’s HeliCOAT system was installed on the first batch of MD 530Fs, which added a FLIR to the belly and capacity for up to 8 Spike anti-tank missiles. These helicopters were subsequently withdrawn from service in 2005 and sold in the United States to private operators.
These helicopters are used by the Chilean Army Aviation Brigade (BAVE) and belong to the “Germania” helicopter battalion. They are used for day and night air patrols, especially in the Araucania region of Chile, which has been the site of several terrorist attacks. Therefore, depending on the time of day, the helicopters’ camouflage scheme changes. Some of these helicopters use an all-black camouflage scheme for night missions. Of the total of 15 helicopters purchased, eight are currently still operating, which are the ones that remain.
The HeliCOAT system integrates a TopLite stabilized electro-optical system located on the underside of the helicopter. This system has third-generation thermal imaging capabilities and laser rangefinder targeting, making it ideal for use with anti-tank missiles such as the Israeli Spike. The HeliCOAT system also includes Spike LR and ER anti-tank missile launchers with a capacity of up to eight missiles, four per carrier, making this small helicopter lethal for tanks and armored vehicles. Finally, the system integrates two multifunction displays in the cockpit.
The most advanced helicopters such as the Eurocopter Tiger can integrate additional systems with the Rafal HeliCOAT system.
The underwing mounts that carry the anti-tank missiles can be armed with a mix of Spike LR and ER missiles or they can be armed with only one model; in the photos that can be found on the Internet in Chile, they are seen using a mix of these missiles.
The Israeli Spike missiles are fourth-generation anti-tank guided missiles and although they have several operating modes, the fire-and-forget option stands out, which allows the missile to guide itself to its target. This allows the helicopter to perform evasive maneuvers or get to safety in case it is targeted by enemy self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. There are also several different models of the Spike missile but these Chilean helicopters use the LR (long range - 4000 meters) and ER (extended range - 8000 meters) models with a penetration of 900 mm and 1000 mm respectively, significantly increasing the anti-tank capability of these small helicopters.
In the game it could be a direct continuation of the Israeli MD500-TOW Lahatut of BR 9.0 since it is an evolved version of that helicopter presenting an improvement in maximum speed and rate of climb, the Chilean MD 530F was also modified by the Israeli company Rafael and integrates very powerful Spike missiles having a greater penetration than the TOW of the Lahatut. If I have to compare this helicopter with any it would be the AH-6M Littlebird of BR 10.3 from the USA since the helicopter is very similar in size and performance and even has the same engine, the armament configuration is also similar so the MD 530F from Chile would fit perfectly in the Israeli tree in BR 10.3 covering a very important gap.
Specifications:
- Crew:
- 2
- Armament:
- Guns: 2x 12.7mm FN Herstal M3P Machine Gun Pods
- Rockets: 2x LAU-7H each with 7 FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- Missiles: 8x Spike LR or ER anti-tank missiles (900 mm and 1000 mm penetration respectively)
- Dimensions:
- Lenght: 7.28 m
- Height: 2.64 m
- Width: 1.40 m
- Empty weight: 738 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 1519 kg
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft, 650 hp
- Max speed: 252 km/h at 1000 m
- Cruise speed: 228 km/h
- Range: 430 km
- Service Ceiling: 4877 m
- Rate of climb: 10.5 m/s
- Additional systems:
- Electro-Optic Payload: Rafael TopLite
- MFD: 2 Multifunction Displays
- Night vision: Night-vision goggle
Photos:
Sources:
- https://www.mdhelicopters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11.2.23-ProductCard-530F.pdf
- El Ejército de Chile despliega el helicóptero MD-530F en tareas de reconocimiento en La Araucania
- https://www.rafael.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/toplite-eos-family-of-targeting-systems.pdf
- Spike ER - War Thunder Wiki
- Pucará Magazine number 31, May-June 2025