Live-fire demo by new scout helicopter

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MESA, Ariz., March 8 (UPI) -- A new single-engine armed scout helicopter has successfully completed live-fire exercise at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds.

MD Helicopters Inc. said the exercise was a "milestone" in validation of the MC 504F aircraft and in gaining certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

"We are extremely pleased with the results of the live firing exercise and overall in-flight performance of the 540F aircraft," said MDHI Chief Information Officer Lynn Tilton.

"Our steadfast aim is to deliver a robust light attack helicopter with the lethal strike power, stability and accuracy only available in much larger and more costly aircraft.

"As we have demonstrated to the U.S. Army on multiple occasions and past programs, the 540F development program will remain on schedule and deliver exceptional performance on all fronts."

The MD 540F has four weapons stations for a mix of guns, rockets and missiles. The first-phase live-fire engagements included 15 running engagements with M3P .50-caliber guns. Running engagements with laser-guided rockets and Hellfire missiles will be conducted later this year, the company said.