PZL- Swidnik delivers upgraded helicopters to the Polish Land Forces
The Polish land forces has received all four upgraded W-3PL Gluszec multirole helicopters from PZL-Swidnik.
The ‘troop-carrying gunship’ is a multirole combat version of the W-3 Sokol, AgustaWestland, which owns the Polish company, announced on 11 February.
The original contract, which was for the research and development of a modernised prototype of the army’s W-3 helicopter, was signed in 2003 between the Polish Ministry of Defence and PZL-Swidnik.
A second contract, signed in 2006 and under which this delivery falls, was for the upgrade of four in-service helicopters to W-3PL standard.
AgustaWestland said the multi-role aircraft ‘draws on knowledge gained from the Polish Air Brigade’s experiences on combat missions in Iraq’.
The enhanced helicopter is ‘now equipped with a 4-axis AFCS, engines with FADEC, and an NVG-compatible cockpit with multi-function displays’, according to the company. All communication, navigation and weapon systems on the helicopter are now fully integrated.
The Polish forces are now in discussions with the company about the modernisation of additional W-3 helicopters to the same Gluszec standard.
The modernisation includes capability enhancements for missions including: troop transport, combat search and rescue, and armed attack of ground targets.
In utility configuration, ten fully equipped troops on folding seats can be transported by the aircraft. When required for SAR missions, the cabin can be fitted with as many as four stretchers, medical equipment, a rescue hoist, and a searchlight.
Work on the W-3 Sokol began in 1973, and it made its maiden flight in 1979. Low rate production of the Sokol began in 1985, with the first batch being built by 1991. It is certified in Poland, Russia, Germany and the US.
By Shephard staff
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