During the 29th International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, the Italian company Leonardo presented an offer of their AW139W multi-role transport helicopter to the Polish Armed Forces. The military version of the AW139, if it was selected e.g. in the “Perkoz” programme, would be assembled at Leonardo Helicopters’ PZL-Świdnik facility.
During this year’s MSPO fair in Kielce, the Italian company Leonardo presented an offer with the AW139W multi-role transport helicopter for the Polish Army
For the purposes of the promotional campaign for this design, called the New Polish Multipurpose Helicopter, an HH-139B series helicopter was presented in Kielce, belonging to the Italian Air Force, which already has 13 units and is going to receive 17 more (deliveries are to conclude this year) (HH-139B deliveries for Italian Air Force, AW169M MA for Italian Army).
According to Leonardo, the AW139W twin-engine multi-role medium helicopter can be 100% manufactured in the company’s facility located in Poland. It has the largest reconfigurable cockpit in its class, allowing for quick configuration of mission and task equipment as well as on-board weapons. It is 2.7 metres long, 2.1 metres wide, 1.42 metres high and has an 8 m3 internal volume. Access is provided by a pair of 1.6 m wide sliding doors on both sides. Up to 15 people can be transported in it (as in the MH-139A Gray Wolf in service).
The helicopter is relatively compact: it is 16.66 m long (fuselage plus main rotor), and its main and tail rotors are articulated. The main gear is certified to run for 60 minutes without lubrication, and the two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines with FADEC electronic control are protected against spillage in the event of an explosion. The helicopter will receive two independent electrical and hydraulic installations and will be resistant to collisions with birds. The maximum take-off weight is from 6,400 to 7,000 kg (i.e. more than the requirements for the “Perkoz” programme – editorial note), and the maximum speed is 309 km/h, ceiling is 6,096 m, and range 1,061 km.
Pilots (one or two) have at their disposal four 8” x 10” colour LCD displays with an active matrix, enabling the use of night vision goggles with an optional fifth display. The avionics equipment consists of a 4-axis autopilot extended with SAR and hover modes, a flight management system, a communications system consisting of two VHF radios and an intercom, navigation systems including dual VOR and DME ADF, GPS navigation, digital maps and tactical data display, identification systems and improved visualization of the environment, cockpit voice and flight data recorder, technical condition monitoring system or electronic backup instrument system. Avionics are HIRF/LEMP/EMC resistant.
AW139W is equipped with a winch, self-sealing fuel tanks, flare and chaff ejectors, active protection system (RWR, LWR, MWS, DIRCM), observation, search and weather radar, opto-electronic head with infrared sensor, laser rangefinder and target illuminator and reflector.
The AW139W at MSPO 2021 was an HH-139B belonging to the Italian Air Force. Leonardo has delivered over 1,200 AW139 of all versions to more than 280 recipients in over 70 countries Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski
The AW139W can multitask, which means that after appropriate equipment adaptation, it can be used as:
– combat support helicopter (7.62/12.7 mm machine guns, 12.7/20 mm automatic cannons, 70mm unguided/guided missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, air-to-air missiles, and appropriate sensors);
– transport helicopter (15 troops with light equipment or 10 with heavy equipment; 7.62 mm machine/sniper rifles mounted in doors or windows);
– support for special operations and CSAR combat rescue missions (different seat arrangement, winch for fast rope landing and taking up wounded);
– CASEVAC and MEDEVAC medical evacuation helicopter (medical tasks on board, two stretchers on the floor or four stretchers on a rack or a medical module with three stretchers);
– SAR search and rescue helicopter (place for a winch operator, paramedic, SAR equipment);
– C2 command and control helicopter, communications, C4 computer support/intelligence, observation and ISR (dedicated C4ISR console in the cockpit integrated with mission management systems, task systems and sensors).
If serial production is launched at PZL-Świdnik, it will be fully Polonised and know-how transferred, and the plant in Poland will be responsible for the design, production of components as well as final assembly. Thanks to this, the production potential of the Polish facility itself would also be expanded. It will also be possible, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense, to export helicopters assembled in Poland under intergovernmental agreements in the future.
PZL-Świdnik also offers the integration of additional on-board systems, such as: dust filters on engine air inlets, ballistic covers for the cabin and door floors, overhead cable cutting system, laser-radar device (lidar) to warn of obstacles in a 360-degree range, infrared lights for flying in formation, floats for emergency water landing and life rafts, military GPS, IFF and TACAN, external cargo suspension hook (single or double HEC type), anti-icing system or internal auxiliary fuel tank.