On Monday, April 14, 2025, the first domestically produced AW149 multirole support helicopter performed a test flight as part of the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP), intended to verify the helicopter’s compliance with its design configuration. Further flight tests will be conducted in accordance with standard procedures and the established schedule. The rotorcraft was first spotted during test preparations on February 26 of this year.
Photos: Polish Armaments Agency / Ministry of National Defence
The new type of helicopter, produced entirely at PZL-Świdnik, modern and resulting from the implementation of cutting-edge 21st-century technologies and design techniques, is the most highly anticipated development at PZL-Świdnik and within the Polish aerospace cluster.
The contract for 32 multirole helicopters for the Polish Armed Forces was signed in Świdnik on July 1, 2022. Less than a year later, the first helicopter rolled off the final assembly line — at that time in Leonardo’s facilities in Vergiate, Italy — to meet urgent needs and fulfill the contract provisions amid a challenging geopolitical situation. That moment also marked the beginning of training for Polish PZL-Świdnik employees in specific job roles at Leonardo. In fact, from the very first helicopter destined for the Polish military, PZL-Świdnik’s domestic workforce was involved in its production.
Importantly, from the outset, the contract for AW149 deliveries to the Polish military included full production of the helicopters in Poland, along with the transfer of technology and the establishment of production, maintenance, and overhaul facilities.
“The execution of the AW149 contract for the Polish Armed Forces is an excellent example of the outstanding work carried out jointly by Italian and Polish teams, the efficiency of the entire supply chain, and, ultimately, successful cooperation with the end user. The combination of these factors enabled the Polish military to begin training on this helicopter type according to schedule. The results of this collaboration encourage us to consider how we could best meet future helicopter program needs for the Polish Armed Forces — possibly through similar initiatives,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters.
“For all of us at PZL-Świdnik, April 14, 2025, marks an extremely important date and another strategic milestone for our plant. The introduction of a new helicopter type produced at PZL-Świdnik is a long-anticipated and carefully planned event. Today, as we flight-test the most advanced helicopter in its weight category in the world, we all have reason to take great pride in our work for the Polish Armed Forces. Ahead of us are more units to be produced, flight-tested, and, in the future, serviced — and, depending on the military’s evolving needs, possibly upgraded and integrated with new systems. We already possess full capabilities for all of these tasks,” said Jacek Libucha, President of PZL-Świdnik.
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The AW149 Final Assembly Line (FAL) and the Flight Line (FL) — used for testing, special equipment installation, and flight checks — were officially inaugurated on June 5, 2024. According to official statements, the facility is capable of assembling up to 10 AW149 helicopters per year. This capacity is intended to ensure the delivery of 32 rotorcraft by the end of 2029, as per the contract, while also allowing for the handling of additional orders if necessary.
The final assembly process is divided into three stages. During the initial phase, the helicopter is fitted with electrical wiring, control systems, fuel and hydraulic systems. Next, the cockpit is assembled, and the engines, main gearbox, landing gear, and power units are installed. In the final stage, the tail boom with rotor, windows, stabilizers, and rotor hub fairing are attached.
The final stage of helicopter production takes place on the Flight Line (FL), where the rotorcraft undergo final inspections, are equipped with cryptographic systems, and perform their maiden flights.
As previously mentioned, on July 1, 2022, at the PZL-Świdnik aerospace plant, in the presence of then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak, a contract worth 8.25 billion PLN gross was signed between the State Treasury — represented by the Armaments Agency — and the PZL-Świdnik Aircraft Factory (part of Leonardo Helicopters) for the delivery of 32 AW149 multirole support helicopters for Army Aviation, with deliveries scheduled between 2023 and 2029.
The contract also includes logistical and training-simulator packages. The logistics package consists of a stock of spare and consumable parts, as well as equipment for ground support of the helicopters. The training and simulator package includes comprehensive training for pilots and technical personnel, along with the delivery of a set of advanced simulators and training equipment.
The AW149 is a multirole military helicopter capable of performing flights under both VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules), by day and night, and in NVC (Night Vision Conditions). Its maximum takeoff weight is 8,300 kg, with the option to increase it to 8,600 kg. The helicopter has a maximum speed of 313 km/h and a cruising speed of 287 km/h. It is operated by a crew of two, although basic missions can be carried out by a single pilot. The maximum range is 958 km, and maximum flight endurance is 4 hours and 55 minutes. The AW149 can carry up to 19 passengers.
The ordered helicopters, configured to meet the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces, are equipped with observation systems, machine-gun armament, guided and unguided rocket systems, as well as self-defense systems. Depending on the mission variant, the armament can be installed either inside the cabin or mounted on the helicopter’s external hardpoints.
Subsequently, on May 30, 2023, the Armaments Agency signed a contract worth approximately 150 million USD (633 million PLN) for the delivery of 800 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II air-to-ground anti-tank guided missiles to equip these helicopters. The rotorcraft are powered by General Electric CT7-2E1 turboshaft engines rated at 2,000 horsepower, under a contract signed with the U.S. company GE Aviation on October 17, 2022.
The helicopters will replace the W-3 Sokół in the 7th Aviation Squadron of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade.