W-3PL Gluszec Combat Helicopter, Poland

[Zarvan]

W-3PL Gluszec, a multi-role, combat variant of W-3 Sokól, is in service with the Polish Land Forces. It is designed and manufactured by PZL-Swidnik, a subsidiary of AgustaWestland, in co-operation with the Polish Armed Forces and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

It is intended for multiple missions including combat support, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) and troop transport. It has the ability to engage both stationary and moving targets.

The W-3PL Gluszec helicopter was demonstrated during the AIR FAIR 2016 International Exhibition held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in May 2016.

Orders and deliveries of W-3PL Gluszec helicopters
In 2003, PZL-Swidnik signed a contract with the Polish Ministry of Defence to develop a prototype of W-3PL Gluszec for the modernisation of Polish Army's existing W-3 helicopters.

A contract was signed in 2006 for the delivery of four modernised W-3 helicopters of W-3PL standard. The Polish Land Forces took delivery of the initial four helicopters in December 2010. Poland has ordered an additional four W-3PL helicopters.

Two W-3PL Gluszec helicopters of the Polish Land Forces successfully performed close combat support operations during the European military exercise, named Combined Joint Personnel Recovery Standardisation Course (CJPRSC) that took place in Florennes, Belgium, in October 2014.


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W-3PL Gluszec design and capacities
The W-3PL Gluszec combat helicopter is fitted with four-bladed main and three-bladed tail composite rotors.

The helicopter is 18.79m-long, 1.75m-wide and 4.2m-high, and can accommodate two crew and 12 passengers. Its main and tail rotor diameters are 15.7m and 3.03m respectively.

Its basic empty weight is 3,850kg and the maximum internal and external load capacities are 6,400kg each. It can carry a maximum useful load of 2,550kg.

The landing gear consists of two single-wheeled main gears and one double-wheeled nose gear.

Cockpit and cabin details
The NVG-compatible, armoured cockpit of the W-3PL Gluszec combat helicopter is designed for single-pilot or two-pilot operations. A four-axis autopilot simplifies the operation and reduces the crew workload.

The cockpit is equipped with multi-function displays and head-up displays to present flight data to the operators.

The cabin is fitted with two large sliding doors for cargo loading and unloading. For search-and-rescue missions, the cabin can house up to four stretchers, medical equipment, a 272kg rescue hoist, 2,100kg cargo hook, and searchlight.

Helicopter avionic systems
Avionic systems aboard the helicopter include inertial navigation system (INS), global positioning system (GPS), digital map, tactical air navigation system (TACAN), instrument landing system (ILS), VHF omni-directional range (VOR), laser range finder, marker beacon (MB) receiver, and FLIR camera.

Weaponry and self-protection
A remote-controlled gun turret, armed with a 12.7mm HMGWKM-Bm machine gun, is mounted under the nose of the helicopter to provide self defence for the personnel.

"The W-3PL Gluszec helicopter was demonstrated during the AIR FAIR 2016 International Exhibition held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in May 2016."
The armament of the W-3PL Gluszec combat helicopters also includes rocket launchers, a mine laying system and 23mm cannon in dispenser.

The onboard self-protection systems such as radar warning receiver (RWR), flare dispensers, identification, friend or foe (IFF), and infrared (IR) warning receiver to improve the helicopter's ability to detect and engage threats in complex radar environments.

A neutral gas is used in the fuel tanks to help reduce the risk of explosion. The helicopter is also fitted with a wire strike protection system.

W-3PL Gluszec helicopter propulsion and performance
Powered by two PZL-10W turboshaft engines, the combat helicopter can achieve a maximum cruise speed of 235km/h and a never-exceed speed of 260km/h. Each engine generates a maximum continuous power of 574kW and a take-off power of 662kW. The engine performance is controlled using a full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system.

The W-3PL Gluszec can operate up to a distance of 734km using 1,720l of standard fuel and the range can be increased to 1,180km with an auxiliary fuel capacity of 730l. It can stay airborne for up to 252 minutes.



W-3PL Głuszec is a multi-role, combat variant of W-3 Sokół. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.



The W-3PL Głuszec combat helicopter is in service with the Polish Land Forces. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.



W-3PL Głuszec is powered by two PZL-10W turboshaft engines. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.


W-3PL Głuszec seen during the AIR FAIR 2016 International Exhibition. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.



The W-3PL Głuszec combat helicopter has a maximum cruise speed of 235km/h. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland.

http://www.army-technology.com/proj...licopter/w-3pl-guszec-combat-helicopter4.html

 

[Sage]

It looks robust ...!

 

[vostok]

It looks robust ...!

Because it is a modernized Soviet Mi-2.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Because it is a modernized Soviet Mi-2.

Which itself was produced in "soviet" Poland.

 

[flamer84]

Which itself was produced in "soviet" Poland.

Communist Poland as the country isn't an ex soviet state.

 

[vostok]

Which itself was produced in "soviet" Poland.

USSR gave a license to Poland, and helped to set up production line for the Mi-2.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Communist Poland as the country isn't an ex soviet state.

Was just another puppet state of USSR.

 

[vostok]

Was just another puppet state of USSR.

And now Poland is puppet-state of USA. But for some reason, the United States does not transfer the production of its helicopters to Poland.

 

[flamer84]

And now Poland is puppet-state of USA. But for some reason, the United States does not transfer the production of its helicopters to Poland.

For the attack helicopter tender the US offers production in Poland.

Also,a few weeks ago the US firm Bell offered production of the AH-1Z Viper in Romania if Romania will make a first order for the helicopter.After that ,this helicopter can be manufactured in here for other markets to.

The AH-1 was also offered for building in Romania at the end of the 90's under the name AH 1 Dracula but the Romanian part withdrew from the project at the last moment.

 

[vostok]

For the attack helicopter tender the US offers production in Poland.

Also,a few weeks ago the US firm Bell offered production of the AH-1Z Viper in Romania if Romania will make a first order for the helicopter.After that ,this helicopter can be manufactured in here for other markets to.

The AH-1 was also offered for building in Romania at the end of the 90's under the name AH 1 Dracula but the Romanian part withdrew from the project at the last moment.

Yes, but they do not transfer production of some helicopters to Poland totally, as it was with Soviet Mi-2. Poland produced Mi-2 for the entire socialist camp (and for USSR!) - thousands of helicopters. And not just a couple of dozens for their own needs.

 

[flamer84]

Yes, but they do not transfer production of some helicopters to Poland totally, as it was with Soviet Mi-2. Poland produced Mi-2 for the entire socialist camp (and for USSR!) - thousands of helicopters. And not just a couple of dozens for their own needs.

As i've said,the AH 1Z offer stipulates that helicopters from that factory can be sold on the open market.The original offer must come from the host country at first though.After that,you can sell it on the world market,manufactured in your country.It's as fair as it gets.

 

[vostok]

As i've said,the AH 1Z offer stipulates that helicopters from that factory can be sold on the open market.The original offer must come from the host country at first though.After that,you can sell it on the world market,manufactured in your country.It's as fair as it gets.

But I strongly doubt that the United States ever gives a license (and transfer production lines) to Poland on newly developed American helicopter for Poland could produce thousands of helicopters for the United States needs.

 

[flamer84]

But I strongly doubt that the United States ever gives a license (and transfer production lines) to Poland on newly developed American helicopter for Poland could produce thousands of helicopters for the United States needs.

Who orders "thousands" of helicopters nowadays?.The AH 1Z Viper is as new as you get when it comes to attack helicopters.

The cold War was different because the Warsaw Pact inducted thousands of land/air platforms so the work had to be distributed throughout the camp.And I doubt that Poland manufactured thousands of helicopters to.

 

[vostok]

Who orders "thousands" of helicopters nowadays?.The AH 1Z Viper is as new as you get when it comes to attack helicopters.

The cold War was different because the Warsaw Pact inducted thousands of land/air platforms so the work had to be distributed throughout the camp.And I doubt that Poland manufactured thousands of helicopters to.

Five and a half thousand helicopters, counting military and civilian modifications. In addition, Poland now has its own design school, which allows her to develop modernized versions.
The US military budget is just an infinitely huge. And they could easily transfer production of the new version of the "Chinook" or newly developd civilian helicopter to Poland. I mean - full production not simply hanging the "TM" label. And they could give to Poland right to sell these helicopters around the world and the right to modify it. But this will never happen.

 

[flamer84]

Five and a half thousand helicopters, counting military and civilian modifications. In addition, Poland now has its own design school, which allows her to develop modernized versions.
The US military budget is just an infinitely huge. And they could easily transfer production of the new version of the "Chinook" or newly developd civilian helicopter to Poland. I mean - full production not simply hanging the "TM" label. And they could give to Poland right to sell these helicopters around the world and the right to modify it. But this will never happen.

The finest models were never transfered to Poland by the USSR.And,let us not kid ourselves,countries like Poland,Romania had an aeronautic industry,producing aircrafts,even before WW2 .The USSR refused to grant licenses to Romania,so we produced mainly Western helicopters.