Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1446249
COMBATMATE 4x4 fighting vehicle was another new product showcased by the WB Group, as a result of a joint development effort with the South African Bruisertech company - utilizing the Bruiser 212 vehicle as the base platform. The COMBATMATE has been equipped with the ZSU-03 RCWS developed by the WB Group's Arex company. The weapon station in question features the .50-cal. M2HB machine gun. The vehicle is to be integrated with the FONET intercom, and TOPAZ BMS. Inside, the Warmate- TL operator's console has been placed. WORKS 11 Works 11 is Polish representative of major defense industry companies. The most attractive and eye-catching piece of equipment presented inside the main hall of MSPO 2021 was the lightweight MD Helicopters MD500E multipurpose helicopter, a derivative of OH-6 Cayuse "Killer Egg". This ubiqus and capable aircraft in its AH-6/ MH-6 Little Bird variant is a common SOF transport helicopter and an aerial sniper support platform deployed with USSOCOM 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), the famous "Nightstalkers". The company would like to influence the Polish SOCOM to purchase those capable helicopters and together with local partners, the Works 11 decided to present the armed variant of MD500E but the target helicopter would be the "militarized' more powerful MD530F. Polish SF operators had already had a chance to familiarize themselves with these small helicopters as they were frequently cooperating with US special forces during training and combat deployments. What is MD530F? First of all, it is a thoroughly modernized version of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter, the first copies of which were delivered to the US Army in 1966. Over the years, it was constantly upgraded and modernized. Like all modern helicopters it features the "glass cockpit" (it was not presented on the specimen shown in Poland), as well as the possibility of using various modules expanding operational capabilities. As already mentioned, one of the main reasons for MD530F marketing in Poland are the needs of Special Forces, as they will probably look for support helicopters for S-70i Black Hawks already in service and for operators on the ground. Thanks to its modular design, the MD530F can accept a wide set of weapons on external suspensions, including gun or machine gun pods, 70 mm caliber rocket launchers (including APKWS guided ones) or heavy anti- tank missiles (as AGM-114 Hellfire). The offensive capabilities can be increased with surveillance payloads. Due to the dimensions and the desire to save lifting capacity, the manufacturer does not offer an armor protection system for MD500/MD530F. The MD530F is an attractive option due to the low cost of purchase and operation - the latter are around $ 500 per hour of flight. This, in turn, means that, apart from the Special Forces, the design could gain recognition among other military branches (which could look for a multi-purpose platform that could replace some Mil Mi-'s2, which are soon to be decommissioned), as well as other law enforcement services in Poland. Importantly, Works 11 and its partners declare that possible service and maintenance could be carried out at local MRO plants. www.fragoutmag.com