Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/840553
The currently implemented programs of extensive repairs, additional equipment purchases, or upgrades of the equipment in use are to make them usable in the years to come. Despite the confusion surrounding the military helicopter fleet modernization program, W-3 Anakonda appear to be a certain element of the SAR service in the near future. A series of modernization programs targeting the Polish naval aviation was commenced close the end of the 1960s, aiming to e.g. increase SAR's potential in the Baltic Sea area using the PZL Świdnik SM-2D rescue helicopters. The process was initiated due to, among others, the size of Poland's zone of SAR responsibility, covering a surface area of over 30 thousands sq km and reaching far beyond Poland's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. It was then decided to split the required tasks between two types of SAR helicopters – heavy and light or medium. They were planned to be deployed in two existing bases on the coastline: in Gdynia-Babie Doły and in Darłowo. To secure the zone completetly, the plan was also to build a third base, in the western Poland. The political- technical reality of the time made the decision concerning the purchase of the necessary equipment quite clear – in 1977, it was resolved to purchase a number of Soviet Mi-14PS (NATO Code: Haze), which became a part of the Polish Navy 16th Special Aviation Regiment in Darłowo in the first half of the 1980s. At the same time, there were tested rescue versions of the PZL Świdnik Mi-2RM designed to replace aging SM-2D. The design works actually started in the late 1960s, and prototypes were tested in 1975. Total number of 16 helicopters was manufactured and they distributed between the 28th Rescue Squadron and the 18th Naval Support Aviation Squadron. The subject of the successor for helicopters was not raised until the end of the 1980s. This was due to the pace of operations, the technical wear (Mi-14PS were supplied in the mid-1980s), and the available financial resources. Nevertheless, the Polish armed forces, including the naval forces, appeared to be interested in a new type of helicopter – the W-3 Sokół (Polish for Falcon), developed as a joint project between Poland and USSR. The goal of the project was to construct a multi-role transport helicopter that would replace Mi-4, and act as a bigger counterpart to the Mi-2. A decision was made to purchase two new helicopters in the utility version, which were assigned to the 18th Naval Support Aviation Squadron. They were to be used in transport-passenger flights, and www.fragoutmag.com