The new Dillon Aero Mission Configurable Aircraft System (MCAS) provides an exceptional armament and assault solution for the Bell 407 series of helicopters. The Bell 407 is in civil service around the world with airlines, corporations, hospitals, government and military operators. The 407’s airframe is generally similar to the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger, but includes a carbon fiber composite tailboom. The helicopter has standard seating for two crew and five cabin seats. The 407 uses the four-blade, soft-in-plane design rotor with composite hub developed for the United States Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior observation and reconnaissance helicopter instead of the two-blade, semi-rigid, teetering rotor of the 206L-4. Airframe sustainability and useful load benefit from the decreased overall system weight of both the MCAS-AH & MH configurations.
Dillon Aero MCAS-407AH Light Attack / Assault Helicopter. (Photo by Dillon Aero)
This system is a first of it’s kind, bridging the dual-use capability gap, offering one system that meets both the AH and MH mission set. Additionally, the system incorporates a cargo floor option that will allow for approximately 700 pounds of useful load on a flat surface incorporating multiple tie down points. The cargo configuration allows for full operation of the doors and weighs approximately 15 pounds. Depending on mission profile, the user has endless configuration options utilizing up to 6 weapon stations. MCAS can easily and quickly be configured for Hellfire, M134D, DAP-6 Gun Pod, GAU-19/B, GP-19 Gun Pod, HMP-400, M260, or M261 rocket launchers based on mission requirements. The outer wing sections are capable of Smart Weapon Enhancements such as the Raytheon Griffin® B launcher. MCAS supports any combination of 3,000 or 1,500 round 7.62mm magazines and 600 round .50 caliber magazines.
Dillon Aero MCAS-407AH Light Attack / Assault Helicopter. (Photo by Dillon Aero)
Hard-points on the top and bottom of the MCAS-MH provide users with multiple configuration options to suit any mission profile. The system can easily be configured to attach a machine gun, mount, and pintle-arm, and caving ladder. The MCAS-MH lightweight plank is interchangeable between aircraft specific tail number. Additionally, the system incorporates up to six removable mounting lugs coupled with additional mounting provisions. The MCAS-MH external personnel systems or ‘pods’ stow to reduce the lateral dimension, resulting in easier transport and a reduced hangar footprint. The gaps between the airframe and the external personnel system are reduced and hand grips are incorporated. Damage prone areas are easily replaced in the field; it is not necessary to replace an entire plank because of localized damage.
Dillon Aero MCAS-407AH Light Attack / Assault Helicopter. (Photo by Dillon Aero)
MCAS-AH offers endless configuration options utilizing up to 6 weapon stations. MCAS can easily and quickly be configured for Hellfire, M134D, DAP-6 gun pod, GAU-19/B, GP-19 gun pod, HMP-400, M260, or M261 rocket launchers based on mission requirements. The outer wing sections are capable of Smart Weapon Enhancements such as the Raytheon Griffin® B launcher. MCAS supports any combination of 3,000 or 1,500 round 7.62mm magazines, and/or 600 round .50 caliber magazines. All of the lightweight magazines have an identical footprint that lock into common points. To allow for faster reload times and diminish stress on crew, lift height has been reduced, with added smooth, obstruction-free magazine rails. Cables are routed through fairings providing protection from the environment, and a pass-through within the center section allows flex chuting to be mounted completely underneath the wing, eliminating interference during arming.
Dillon Aero MCAS-407AH Light Attack / Assault Helicopter. (Photo by Dillon Aero)