FIELDED FLEET UPGRADES

Do you like your 500N but you are not satisfied with its performance in hot and high conditions? Problem solved by replacing your 250-C20 engine with a Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine with 650 shp and an inlet barrier filter.

STC development is currently under way, its release is scheduled for the second half of 2024, and this upgrade will be available at select, MD Authorized Service Centers around the world. Please see the Fielded Fleet Upgrades brochure for more information about the installation centers, pricing, and availability.

If an E to F Conversion is not for you, we have added another option to enhance your MD500 E’s performance. The Super E upgrade will increase internal and external MGW and useful load by 300+ and 150+ pounds, respectively, and improve hover performance.

Changes to the aircraft involve adding longer blades top and rear, a tail rotor gearbox extension, a modified tailboom, and new vertical and horizontal stabilizers, but the aircraft retains its D-model M/R gearbox and its lighter-weight, 250-C20B engine.

This upgrade will be available at MD Authorized Service Centers around the globe. Please see the Fielded Fleet Upgrades brochure for more information about the installation centers, pricing, and availability.

Conceptualized many years ago but never released, MD plans to release three different upgrades for the 500D family of aircraft in late 2024. Broadly referred to as the “Super D” family of upgrades, all three upgrades involve adding longer blades top and rear, a tail rotor gearbox extension, a modified tailboom, and new vertical and horizontal stabilizers.

Two of the three configurations will allow the aircraft to retain its smaller, lighter M/R gearbox and its 250-C20B or 250-C20R engine, while the third configuration will include replacing the 250-C20 engine with a 650 shp Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine.

If desired, these upgrades can be performed in steps – with the blades and aft section upgrade coming first, followed by the C30 engine upgrade later.

All three variants will yield significant improvements to MGW, useful load, and hover performance. Please see the Fielded Fleet Upgrades brochure for more information about the installation centers, pricing, and availability.