Aircraft & UAVs

MG-520

The MG-520, also known as the MD-520MG Defender, is a Philippine Air Force light attack helicopter derived from the MD 500E/Defender family. Armed with machine guns and rocket pods, it served as a compact close-air-support platform during the Battle of Marawi, where Philippine government forces used it to support urban ground operations against IS-aligned militants.

Battle of MarawiPhilippine government forces

Conflict side: Philippine government forces
Built by: McDonnell Douglas
Built in: United States

MG-520, Light attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Ac30-2000x1328.jpg

Profile

Type: Light attack helicopter
Conflict side: Philippine government forces
Origin: United States
Service note: Philippine Air Force service from 1990; documented in the 2017 Battle of Marawi

close air support strike helicopter

Service History

In service: Philippine Air Force MG-520 helicopters entered service in 1990 and remained in attack-helicopter service during the Marawi campaign.
Used by: Philippine Air Force
Wars: Battle of Marawi

Production History

Designer: Hughes / McDonnell Douglas MD 500 family
Designed: MD 500E/Defender family developed before Philippine deliveries in 1990
Built by: McDonnell Douglas
Built in: United States
Produced: Philippine MG-520 deliveries began in 1990
Number built: 32 MD-520MG aircraft delivered to the Philippine Air Force, with about 20 later overhauled or upgraded
Variants: MD-520MG Defender, MG-520

Specifications

Crew: One or two crew, depending on mission fit
Armament: .50-caliber machine guns and seven-tube rocket launchers on Philippine MD-520MG aircraft
Airframe: MD 500E/Defender-family single-engine light helicopter with five-blade main rotor
Engine: Rolls-Royce Model 250-series turboshaft; MD 500E C20B rating listed at 420 shp
Maximum Gross Weight: 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) for MD 500E normal-capacity configuration
Maximum Cruise Speed: About 135 kt (155 mph / 249 km/h) for MD 500E at sea level
Maximum Range: About 235 nautical miles (270 miles / 435 km) at sea level for MD 500E
Rotor Diameter: 26.40 ft (8.05 m) main rotor diameter for MD 500E

Conflict Usage

Battle of Marawi: Side: Philippine government forcesRole: Close air support helicopterclose air support strike
Philippine Air Force MG-520 attack helicopters were used for close air support during the five-month Battle of Marawi alongside OV-10 and SF-260 aircraft.

MG-520 Images

MG-520, Light attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Ac30-2000x1328.jpg

MG-520, Light attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: 15th Strike Wing MD-520MG.jpg

MG-520, Light attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: MD-520MG choppers in PAF.jpg

MG-520, Light attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 4 — Source: PhAF MD-520MG Helicopter.JPG

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Sources

Air Force pilots, crew come home to heroes' welcomePublisher: INQUIRER.net | Note: Supports Battle of Marawi direct use: MG-520 attack helicopters were used by the Philippine Air Force for close air support during the five-month campaign. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Ac30-2000x1328.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and system background for an armed Philippine Air Force MD-520MG; file page identifies official 15th Strike Wing source, public-domain Philippine government status, .50-caliber machine guns, seven-tube rocket launchers, and 1990 delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 15th Strike Wing MD-520MG.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Philippine Air Force MD-520MG from the 15th Strike Wing; file page lists Philippine Air Force authorship and public-domain Philippine government status. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 MD-520MG choppers in PAF.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for Philippine Air Force MD-520MG helicopters with the 15th Strike Wing; file page lists Philippine Air Force authorship and public-domain Philippine government status. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 PhAF MD-520MG Helicopter.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Philippine Air Force MD-520MG at a 2013 static display; file page lists author Roy Kabanlit and CC BY-SA 3.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 MD 500E SpecificationsPublisher: MD Helicopters | Note: Supports MD 500E/Defender-family specifications used as baseline airframe data for the MG-520, including rotor, engine, weight, speed, range, and dimensions. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 MD-520MG Upgrade Project of the Philippine Air ForcePublisher: Philippine Defense Resource | Note: Supports background on the Philippine Air Force MD-520MG fleet, 15th Strike Wing end user, overhaul program, and approximately 20 upgraded aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-21