MD Helicopters has unveiled the MD 564, a new evolution of the legendary 500-series designed to deliver significantly greater performance while retaining the agility and efficiency that have defined the platform for decades.

Rather than developing a completely new aircraft, MD Helicopters has enhanced the proven 500-series airframe with upgraded systems that increase payload, endurance and overall capability. According to company president and CEO Ryan Weeks the new helicopter was developed directly in response to operator demand.

“Customers have been asking for this,” Weeks said. “Our job as an OEM is to turn customer needs into products that give them an edge and help them win.”

A proven platform evolves

The MD 564 builds on the long-standing reputation of the MD 500 family, widely regarded as one of the most agile and performance-driven light helicopters ever produced. Known as the “hot rod” of the rotorcraft world, the series has long been valued for its surplus power and ability to operate effectively in demanding environments.

The new model retains the familiar 500-series fuselage but introduces several major upgrades. These include a six-bladed main rotor, a four-bladed tail rotor and the more powerful Rolls‑Royce 250‑C47E/3 turboshaft engine with dual-channel FADEC.

None of these components are new to the industry but combining them within the 500-series platform unlocks a significant performance improvement.

Higher payload and longer range

Compared with the MD 530F the new MD 564 delivers a 650 lb increase in internal payload and a 750 lb increase in external payload. The helicopter can also achieve four hours of endurance with auxiliary fuel and offers a range of more than 400 nautical miles.

Another notable capability is hover out of ground effect (HOGE) performance at maximum take-off weight up to 14,500 ft, making it well suited to high-altitude and hot-weather operations.

Overall the aircraft delivers nearly a 20 percent performance improvement over the MD 530F and around 33 percent more capability compared with earlier 500-series variants.

Challenging larger helicopters

In the global light-single helicopter market aircraft such as the Airbus H125 helicopter and Bell 407 helicopter dominate the higher-performance end of the segment.

MD Helicopters believes the 564 can challenge that category while maintaining the lower operating costs associated with the smaller 500-series.

“Our goal with the 564 is to erase the line between those categories,” Weeks explained.

However he emphasised that the helicopter is designed as a focused mission platform rather than an all-purpose aircraft.

“This isn’t a HEMS aircraft,” Weeks said. “It’s a surgical instrument.”

With its blend of power, agility and proven design the MD 564 aims to ensure the legendary 500-series remains one of the most capable light helicopters in the world.