Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/693549
Working on Airbus products does not mean the Warsaw company had to discontinue its own projects. Currently, it continues to develop the PZL-130 Orlik turboprop train- er aircraft, which is well-known in the Polish Air Force. In recent years, 16 aircraft were modernised to meet the PZL-130 Orlik TC-II standard. Compared to the previous model, the modernised version contains a new engine, a reconstructed wing and a redesigned rudder. But that is not the end of work. Considering the requirements of the Air Force and the growing export demand, the company's designers created the Orlik MPT project, which is a further enhancement of the TC-II concept characterised by the use of a glass cockpit and the potential to mount pylons for weapons or dispensers. Solutions of this type are gain- ing popularity on the market, with the Brazilian EMB-314 Super Tucano, and its market rivals like the American Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine being more and more success- ful. No wonder the European giant wants a piece of the pie as well. According to market studies, the worldwide demand in the next several years could reach as many as 1700 turboprop trainer and combat aircraft. It is clear that the market segment is fairly large and has enough room for the Polish works to thrive in as well. Currently, Airbus is en- gaged in negotiations with the Polish Defence Ministry over the modernisation of another batch of 12 Orlik aircraft to the TC-II standard for the 4th Training Aviation Wing. If the talks succeed, the level of training of future pilots of mul- tirole combat aircraft will certainly rise. It is important be- cause while having eight Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master advanced training jets, which are to be delivered to Dęblin, this could prove very difficult. Currently, the Ministry of Defence is the main customer of Warsaw's Airbus plant. Apart from the production and ser- vice of Orlik aircraft, the company provides maintenance services for C295M, pursuant to a long-standing contract which expires in 2018 and which stipulates structural checks after eight years of use of all aircraft. The extension of that contract for further years requires new negotiations to be held, as well as an analysis of the possibilities of mod- ernisation and improvement of the particular aircraft. As it turns out, modernisation to the "W" variant, which results in lower fuel consumption and enhanced transportation capabilities, could be hindered due to economic reasons. As of today, only five of the most modern aircraft in service in Poland were provided with central wing spar reinforcements. www.fragoutmag.com