NEW PROPOSALS FROM THE ITALIAN LEONARDO PRESENTED AT MSPO

Leonardo Group, through its Polish helicopter company PZL-Świdnik presented a next generation multirole military helicopter concept based on a legacy W-3 Sokół platform at MSPO 2019.  

The new concept comprises state-of-the-art technologies offered by the Polish aviation industry. In the future this solution could meet the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces for a new generation of Battlefield Support helicopters.  Only the latest and already tested technologies available on the market have been used for the new concept.  

The helicopter will be equipped with new blades and main rotor and a fully digital avionics system, covering a glass cockpit, Flight Management System (FMS), Synthetic Vision System (SVS), digital maps and Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS), as well as a 4-axis digital autopilot, new communication system, an Engine FADEC and Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).  All of this, combined with mission equipment and additional 200 kg of useful load  will offer remarkable improvement in terms of performance and the operational capability of the helicopter.  

On display at MSPO 2019 there will be a mock-up of the new generation W-3 concept helicopter’s cockpit.   The type will meet latest requirements of NATO countries.  The venture will also see a significant technology transfer from Leonardo to PZL-Świdnik.  Sebastian Chwałek, Vice President of the Polish Armaments Group said: „Companies of our Group bring into the modernization project several state-of-art solutions and competencies, including weapon systems.  

A key significance in the development of the new generation W-3 concept helicopter is through the transfer of technology with a view to guarantee to clients the operational autonomy and the broadest possible involvement of Polish industry. Particularly, the major role of our long-term partner, i.e. the Polish Armaments Group and companies belonging to it, which will be involved to a high degree in all phases of the project starting with the design, through to development, and the production which will support the helicopter into the future. - said Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo Helicopters MD

The next generation W-3 helicopter will provide the Polish Armed Forces with advanced battlefield support capabilities through a wide range of mission equipment, covering fully integrated armaments system [Air-to-Air missiles, Anti-tank missiles, 70mm rocket pods, cannon pods (12.7/20 mm), machine gun installed in a cabin] and an Integrated Defensive Aids System, an Electro Optical Surveillance System, NVG Compatibility and Head Up Display.  

The helicopter will be able to perform a wide range of missions: troop transport, Special Forces insertion/extraction, CSAR, Intelligence, Surveillance and Armed Reconnaissance, MEDEVAC/CASEVAC.  

The International Defence Industry Exhibition   continues until September 7.  http://www.targikielce.pl/pl/mspo.pl

(MB)