Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/713424
The W-3PL is a result of the close cooperation of the PZL-Świdnik, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, and the Air Force Institute of Technology. This helicopters serve on an everyday basis in the 56th Aviation Base in Inowrocław. It is the latest version of the Falcon helicopter, upgraded to the combat support. The machine is equipped with a modern avionics integrated with a mission com- puter, as well as with an equipment and armament (mostly produced in Poland), which allows it to per- form a great deal of operations in the combat field, CSAR, combat support, a soldier and load transport, escorting, surveillance, target acquisition. On board of the helicopter, there are following systems in- stalled: surveillance payload integrated under-belly 12.7mm heavy machine gun, two-barreled 23mm cannon pods, 70mm rockets pods, flare and chaff dispensers controlled by a MIL-1553 data bus, an infra-red seeking missiles jammer and Head-Up Display sight. The currently used rockets (57 and 80 mm), air-to-air missiles and a system of small di- mension bombs were also integrated. The first four Capercaillie helicopters were delivered to the Land Forces in December 2010. Then it was signed the second contract on modernization of the further four W-3PL's. AVIATION