Chile signs for Black Hawk helos

Chile has signed for six Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to be delivered in 2018.
The contract signing followed a type selection made by the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile: FACh) in September, in which the Black Hawk beat off competition from Leonardo Helicopters, Airbus Helicopters, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Rosoboronexport, which had offered the AW149, H215, Surion, and Mi-17 'Hip' respectively.
The S-70i (international) helicopters are to be built by Sikorsky's subsidiary, PZL Mielec, in Poland. Improvements made on the S-70i over the baseline Black Hawk include a fully integrated digital glass cockpit featuring colour 6x8-inch (15x20 cm) multifunction display (MFD) units and a dual digital automatic flight-control system (AFCS). It also features a digital map and more powerful General Electric T700-GE-701D engines (but with T700-GE-701C control systems).
Once delivered, they will augment the one S-70 that the FACh received in 1998 as well as its remaining rotary fleet of mainly Bell 412 and UH-1H platforms. While the current plan is to procure just six aircraft, Sikorsky has previously told that there is the potential for more to be bought at a later date.
janes

Poland picks Black Hawks after end of H225M talks

Sikorsky’s Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec already appears to be benefiting from the collapse of acquisition talks between its rival Airbus Helicopters and the Warsaw government.
Last week the country’s ministry of economic development ended nearly 18 months of protracted wrangling over a 50-unit commitment for H225M Caracal helicopters. It cited irreconcilable differences about the level of industrial offset proposed, which it said needed to equal the Zl13 billion ($3.4 billion) of the main contract.
However, all three branches of Poland’s armed forces still require new helicopters and its defence ministry has wasted little time in pushing business towards PZL Mielec, which assembles the S-70i Black Hawk for the international market.
During a visit to the firm’s assembly facility, defence minister Antoni Macierewicz said it would work to quickly finalise a deal for S-70is for operation by Polish special forces.
flightglobal

Italy Gives AW149 Military Certification

AgustaWestland’s AW149 helicopter, which the firm is pitching to Poland, received Italian military certification Tuesday.
The helicopter, which has been undergoing trials, is being pitched by the Finmeccanica unit for Poland’s requirement for a multirole helicopter, and would be partially assembled in Poland by PZL-Swidnik, the local firm owned by Finmeccanica.
defensenews

Czechs plan new light helicopter purchase

The Army of the Czech Republic announced plans to acquire up to 16 new light, multi-purpose helicopters between 2016 and 2020.
The new helicopters will primarily replace the country's Mil Mi-24/35 'Hind' combat support helicopters and PZL W-3 Sokol MEDEVAC/SAR helicopters.
The new light, multi-purpose helicopters will serve in the armed combat support; light troop transport and MEDEVAC/SAR roles according to Gen Pavel.
It hasn't been specified what specific platform is being sought by the ACR, but it was said that it would be in a class slightly smaller than the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
The ACR plans to retire its fleet of Russian Mil Mi-24/35 helicopters between 2016 and 2018, when some of the aircraft reach the end of their operational service life while the remainder would require costly mid-life upgrades (MLUs).
janes

Poland unveils Orlik MPT trainer

Poland's PZL-130 Orlik MPT (multipurpose trainer) was unveiled at Airbus Defence & Space's Warsaw.
The MPT project provides an upgrade to the Orlik TC I turboprop operated by the Polish air force since 2011. The service operates 16 of the current model.
The new version incorporates a more efficient wing, a 750hp (560kW) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C turboprop engine with a four-bladed Hartzell propeller with blade anti-icing system, and Martin-Baker Mk 11L ejection seats. First flight is scheduled for late March.
Digital avionics include two multifunctional displays and a head-up display (HUD) in the front cockpit, plus two displays and a HUD repeater in the rear cockpit, with lighting compatible for operations using night vision goggles. A third cockpit display is offered as an option.
The Orlik MPT will support tasks including basic tactical training, with its avionics capable of emulating air-to-air and air-to-surface tasks using virtual ammunition and flying air combat training against up to three virtual targets. Airbus is now carrying out feasibility studies for an Orlik air combat support variant, which would be able to carry up to 500kg (1,100lb) of weapons using six under-wing hardpoints.
In February, the defence ministry's inspectorate of armament launched a market analysis for an Orlik TC-II glass cockpit upgrade, seeking 12 new aircraft to be acquired for use from 2018. The type will be used during an introduction to fighter fundamentals course, before pilots progress to the air force's future Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master and the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon.
Other potential customers for the Orlik MPT are countries in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, Airbus says. The new design's price will be "significantly lower" than the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano.
flightglobal

Colombia Takes Delivery of First S-70i BLACK HAWK

Sikorsky Aircraft, has delivered to the Colombian Army two S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopters incorporating a Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) as standard equipment. Colombia is the first country to field S-70i helicopters equipped with HTAWS, which Sikorsky has customized for the unique requirements of the combat assault and utility missions.
Sikorsky delivered the two HTAWS-equipped S-70i helicopters to Colombian Army officials August 13 during a ceremony at the company’s Florida Assembly and Flight Operations facility in West Palm Beach. Colombian aircrew then flew the two aircraft to the Army Special Operation Aviation Military base in Tolemaida, a distance of almost 3,000 nautical miles. The aircraft arrived August 29 after approximately 30 hours of flight.
Colombia is the first South American country to buy the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter variant, which Sikorsky first delivered to an international military customer in 2010. These two aircraft will join five other S-70i helicopters in Colombia acquired in January.
sikorsky

Philippines Air Force says purchase of 8 Sokol choppers from Poland is last

”Of what use is a combat helicopter if you cannot use its machine gun?” President Aquino asked in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the purchase of eight Sokol helicopters from Poland would be the last by the Department of National Defense (DND) since they could not be used in combat, after all.
newsinfo.inquirer

Eurocopter, Turbomeca and WZL 1 to establish two full assembly lines for Poland’s military helicopter acquisition

Eurocopter and Turbomeca (Safran) today announced the signature of industrial cooperation agreements with Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1) that include the creation of two separate full assembly lines within Poland for the EC725 Caracal helicopter and its Makila 2 turboshaft engines in the framework of this country’s current tender for 70 new multi-role helicopters.
eads

PZL-Świdnik completes the delivery of Sokol helicopters to the Philippine Air Force from Lublin Airport

PZL-Świdnik, an AgustaWestland company, is pleased to announce that the last two of eight Sokol helicopters have been delivered to the Philippine Air Force. The Sokols were transported from Lublin Airport to Clark Air Base near Manila on board an An-124 Ruslan large cargo airplane.
The two Sokol helicopters follow the six aircraft delivered to the customer last year. This is the result of a contract signed in 2010, which included eight Sokols.

pzl.swidnik

Second Batch of Sokols Delivered to the Philippine Air Force

PZL-Świdnik, an AgustaWestland company, is pleased to announce that the second batch of Sokol helicopters in combat utility configuration has been delivered to the Philippine Air Force.

The two additional helicopters follow the four Sokols delivered by PZL-Świdnik to the customer in February 2012. The second batch of Sokols are part of a contract signed with the Philippine Air Force in 2010. The contract includes a total of eight Sokol helicopters plus ground support equipment, spare parts, support services and training for aircrew and maintainers. The remaining two helicopters will be delivered in early 2013.

defense-studies

Filipinas cancela la compra de helicópteros Sokol a Polonia/ PH Drops $ 73M Helicopter Deal

El gobierno de Filipinas ha cancelado la compra de helicópteros militares Sokol, por valor de 73 millones de dólares, por irregularidades en el contrato, cuyo valor parecía por encima del mercado.
defense-studies
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The Philippine government said Tuesday it had cancelled a 73 million dollar deal to buy military helicopters following allegations of collusion with a Polish defense contractor.
A formal inquiry found no hard proof of collusion between PZL Swidnik and the defense ministry panel that recommended the award of the contract, but concluded the deal was overpriced
defense-studies

Primer vuelo de un S-70i en Polonia, país dónde es construido/ S-70 TM BLACK HAWK Helicopter Takes Historic First Flight in Poland

Un helicóptero Sikorsky S-70i BLACK HAWK fabricado por su subsidiaria PZL Mielec ha volado en Polonia por primera vez.
PZL Mielec realizará el montaje final del S-70i, la versión mas nueva del BLACK HAWK, destinada al mercado internacional, con un coste inferior..
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An S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter has flown in Poland for the first time, marking an historic milestone for the helicopter line being produced by Sikorsky Aircraft’s company in Poland, PZL Mielec.
PZL Mielec is the final assembly center for the S-70i helicopter, the newest BLACK HAWK variant, which is being produced for the international market. The aircraft that took flight in Poland today is the second helicopter to be produced at PZL Mielec.
(read more)

El Helicóptero S-70i completa programa de pruebas/ S-70i completes test program

El primer helicóptero S-70i ha terminado con éxito las pruebas iniciales de vuelo, y pronto comenzará las pruebas de desarrollo para ponerlo a disposición del mercado internacional.
El S-70i está basado en el BLACK HAWK, aunque por su diseño y capacidades se ofrece a un precio mas asequible.
El helicóptero será ensamblado en su mayor parte por PZL-Mielec en Polonia.
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The first S-70i helicopter has successfully completed production flight testing and will begin development and flight testing of options that will be made available to international customers.
Based on the battle proven BLACK HAWK helicopter, the S-70i helicopter has been designed with the specific features and capabilities most requested by international military customers, at an affordable price.
Sikorsky S-70i is ensambled by PZL-Mielec in Poland.
(read more)

Filipinas suspende compra de helicópteros/ Philippine suspends helicopter contracts

El secretario de defensa de Filipinas ha suspendido dos contratos de compra de helicópteros para la Fuerza Aérea y la Armada Filipina, firmados con PZL de Polonia, por presuntas irregularidades.
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Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has deferred the award of two helicopter contracts pending an investigation into alleged irregularities.
The two contracts are for seven Air Force attack helicopters and two Navy multi-role helicopters.
The Polish helicopter manufacturer PZL Swidnik SA, which bagged the P3.2-billion Air Force contract and an earlier P2.8-billion contract for eight other Air Force combat utility helicopters, was again one of only two bidders in the new P851-million Navy contract.
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FILIPINAS PARALIZA FLOTA DE HELICÓPTEROS UH-1H "HUEY"/ PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE GROUNDS "HUEY" FLEET

La Fuerza Aérea de Filipinas (PAF), ha paralizado los vuelos de toda su flota de helicópteros UH-1H “Huey”, tras el incidente sufrido recientemente por uno de ellos, que se incendió tras aterrizar de emergencia. La situación permanecerá hasta que se determinen las causas del incendio.
El UH-1H es el caballo de batalla de la PAF y se utiliza para transporte de tropas, rescate, y misiones de abastecimiento. Actualmente la PAF dispone de unos 40 Huey.
La PAF recibirá en el primer cuarto de 2011 ocho nuevos helicópteros de la compañia polaca PZL, para reemplazar a los UH-1H mas antiguos.
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The entire fleet of Philippine Air Force (PAF) UH-1H “Huey” helicopters has been grounded following the incident last Friday wherein one of their choppers was engulfed in flames after making an emergency landing, until investigators determine the cause of the fire.
The UH-1H helicopter is the PAF’s workhorse used in combat, troop transport, rescue, and re-supply missions. With the latest incident, the PAF is now left with just about 40 Huey helicopters.
Meanwhile, the PAF is anticipating the delivery of eight brand-new utility helicopters from Poland to replace their aging fleet of UH-1H’s.
According to Okol, they expect the delivery of the combat utility helicopters from PZL Swienik Company of Poland by the first quarter of 2011.
(read more)

Primer vuelo del primer S-70i Black Hawk construido en Polonia/ S-70i takes flight

El primer Black Hawk fabricado en Polonia por PZL, ha realizado su primer vuelo desde la planta de Sikorsky en Florida el pasado uno de julio.
key.Aero
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Sikorsky’s S-70i Black Hawk helicopter made its first flight from the company’s West Palm Beach facility in Florida past July 1st.
Aircraft 0001 is the first to be received from the new assembly line at PZL Mielec in Poland.
key.Aero