PZL W-3 Sokol

PZL W-3 Sokol History

PZL-Swidnik (now part of the Italian Leonardo-Finmeccanica through AgustaWestland) - founded in 1951 - is the largest manufacturer of helicopters in Poland. One of its most successful commercial products is the mid-lift PZL W-3 "Sokol" ("Falcon"), a multifunctional rotor platform that continues to serve many global operators including Algeria, Chile, Spain and Uganda . The product was a national success story for Poland, as it became the first fully domestic helicopter (designed and developed in-house) to emerge from the former Soviet Union.

However, overall production is rather limited compared to other more well-known helicopters in the same role, reaching only about 150 so far (2018), with a manufacturing time span from 1986 to the present.

W-3 Sokol Evolution

Design work began in 1973 as a local initiative to cater for both military and civilian markets, primarily those within the Soviet sphere of influence. For the rigors of both industries, a twin-engine design was chosen, helping to improve reliability and survivability, and to meet medium lift requirements. The overall configuration of the helicopter is largely conventional, with the engine mounted on the roof of the passenger cabin. A four-bladed main rotor is used for lift, connected to a three-bladed tail rotor (facing to starboard) for stability. The landing gear rolls when operating on the ground, but is fixed in flight.

As usual, the pilot occupies a position facing the short nose section, and the cockpit provides an impressive view of what's going on around the front of the helicopter.

The first flight was recorded on November 16, 1979, which brought many challenges due to a long development delay and ushered in a legendary service career. This stimulated production at a low rate starting in 1985 (and then in the Soviet Union).

Sokol Folk Figures

The W-3 Sokol serves the civilian market with several designs: The W-3 is used to mark the basic multipurpose, utility-oriented platform, 30 of which follow the standard. The W-3A received FAR-29 certification, and the E-3AS was the W-3 airframe converted to the newer W-3A standard, 22 of which were from production. The W-3A2 received the Smith SN350 series two-axis autopilot system, although only one example was built. The W-3AM is equipped with buoys for water landings and 13 compliant buoys are provided.

The W-3 "Erka" was proposed for air ambulance, but only one example was realized.

Sokol Military Token

Sokol continued to shine in the military market: the original unarmed brand became the W-3, W-3T and W-3P. The W-3P became VIP passenger and the W-3W/W-3WA were armed versions with 2 x 23mm GSz-23L series automatic cannons and four weapon mounts. Thirty-four were built to the standard.

The Polish Army employs the W-3AE as a medical evacuation platform, three of which are retrofitted from the armed W-3WA brand. Another form of medical evacuation comes from two examples, such as the W-3R used by the Polish Air Force.

The service also has six W-3RL models for search and rescue (SAR) roles.

W-3RM and W-3WARM "Anakonda" are naval W-3 helicopters supplied to the Polish Navy for maritime search and rescue operations. Eight were purchased. W-3PSOT and W-3PPD "Gipsowka" were used as the flight command center of the Polish army.

Three copies of the W-3RR "Procjon" were built as radio-electronic reconnaissance platforms.

W-3PL "Gluszec" is the current standard for military Sokol helicopters. Based on the W-3WA model, it is fully modernized for new millennium battlefield needs, with digital avionics, HOCAS ("Hands-On-Collective-And-Stick"), FLIR and Night Vision (NV) support.

Two large-area color multi-function displays (MFDs) dominate the instrument panel in front of each pilot position, and each pilot has a HUD (Head-Up Display) that displays relevant mission and performance information. A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is standard, as is the IFF. The dual 23mm gun mounts were reduced to a single 12.7mm heavy machine gun armament operated by the pilot.

The design appeared in testing in 1999 and has since entered service with the Polish Army (through an upgrade program for the existing W-3WA production model).

The Sokol series has also been proposed in a number of other Vietnam War forms, including anti-ship/anti-submarine (W-3U-1 "Crocodile"), attack helicopter and 14-person transport (W- 3 "Sokol-Long") models, but none are implemented.

The W-3WB "Huzar" is a well-known armed variant based on the W-3W model line. Denel in South Africa provided avionics and weapons adapted from the Rooivalk attack helicopter. The product did not move beyond the demo form, but switched to the Israeli IAI avionics and weapons kit and became the W-3H.

The Polish Air Force was interested in acquiring about 100 of these models, but the deal was cancelled in 1998.

W-3A Power Supply and Tour

The W-3A production version is equipped with 2 Rzeszow PZL-10B turboshaft engines, each with 900 hp. It has a top speed of 162 mph and usually cruises around 150 mph. Range is 465 miles (775 miles ferry) with service capped at 16,100 feet. The climb rate is 1,830 feet per minute.

There are two people sitting side by side inside. Depending on the seat, up to twelve passengers can be transported back and forth. Up to four medical stretchers can be installed for medical evacuation missions, with space for paramedics. The dimensions of the aircraft include an overall length of 46.7 feet, a width (including rotor diameter) of 51.5 feet and a height of 16.9 feet.

Curb weight is 8,500 lbs and MTOW is 14,110 lbs.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes