Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1034474
by the end of the year, which was difficult to reconcile by manufacturers and companies representing them in the domestic market. In the following days, the first information about the intention to buy the S-70i Black Hawk International appeared – interestingly, it came from the Lockheed Martin, which started looking for employees to support the police staff in the operation of the helicopters. On 9 May the matter was dealt with by the Sejm's Committee on Administration and the Interior. During its meeting, Deputy Minister Jarosław Zieliński informed about the status of the works on the purchase of five observation and patrol tiltrotors for the police – three single-engine and two double-engine units. The tendering procedures are due to be announced later this year, but the deliveries are scheduled for 2020 – everything depends on the Ministry of Finance's agreement on the implementation of the multiannual program. In addition, the Committee confirmed its intention to purchase two S-70i Black Hawk International, as a comparative analysis showed that only this type of helicopter met all the (classified) needs of the BOA – Polish Police main counter-terrorism unit, i.e. the main administrator of medium transport tiltrotors operated by the police. Negotiations with the manufacturer started on 11 April, and on 13 April a notification of a non-bidding nature of the purchase was sent to the president of the public procurement office. According to the assessment of Superintendent Jarosław Szymczyk, the manufacturer's offer is "very attractive" and additionally includes a training and service package. Pilot training will take place abroad, first in a simulator (10 hours) and second in a helicopter (approximately 10 hours). With two S-70i Black Hawk International being used by Sikorsky to train pilots at the factory training center in Stuary, it is likely that the police pilots will be sent to Florida to complete the cycle. Later, the training will be run in the country. Two pilots, under the agreement signed, are to be granted the right to conduct test flights. The entire pilot training cycle is expected to take approximately two months. Technical staff will undergo their training abroad, which will take approximately three weeks. The first training cycle is expected to start in July. www.fragoutmag.com