PZL SW-4 Puszczyk (Tawny Owl)

History

The PZL SW-4 is a versatile light helicopter of Polish origin designed for both military and civilian applications. It entered production in 2002 after its first test flight in 1996 and remains in active service with the Polish Air Force. Comparable to helicopters like the MD Helicopters MD500, Bell 206, and Eurocopter Colibri in terms of size and function, the SW-4 boasts a straightforward design with a two-seat cockpit, a compact three-person cabin, and dual rotors.

The helicopter features a clean and compact design, with a length of 34.7 feet, a rotor diameter of 29.5 feet, and a height of 10 feet. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 4,000 lbs and is powered by a Rolls-Royce engine producing 451 horsepower. It can achieve speeds of up to 160 miles per hour, reach altitudes exceeding 17,000 feet, and cover distances of up to 490 miles. Its climb rate is impressive at 2,030 feet per minute.

As of 2022, around 40 SW-4 helicopters have been manufactured, with 24 of them serving as trainers in the Polish Armed Forces. A civilian version known as the "AW009" was introduced in 2016, and a specialized pilot version called the SW-4 "Solo" was jointly developed by PZL and AgustaWestland, with work on this version beginning in 2011.

Specification

Base

Year of Service: 2002

Origins: Poland

Status: Active.

Crew: 1

Production: 40

Manufacturer: PZL-Swidnik - Poland

Operator: Poland

Roles

Special Mission: MEDEVAC

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements using specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Notable Features

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 34.7 feet (10.57m)

Width/span: 29.5 feet (9.00m)

Height: 10 feet (3.05m)

Cured weight: 2,315 lbs (1,050 kg)

MTOW: 3,968 lb (1,800 kg)

Wgt Diff: +1,653 lb (+750 kg)

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Installed: 1 x Rolls-Royce 250-C20R/2 turboshaft engine developing 451 horsepower driving three-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor (facing port side).

Max Speed: 162 mph (260 kph | 140 kts)

Ceiling: 17,060 ft (5,200 m | 3 mi)

Range: 491 mi (790 km | 1,463 nm)

Rate-of-Climb: 2,030 ft/min (619 m/min)

VARIANTS

SW-4 "Solo" - Optionally-piloted variant of 2016; joint-development with AgustaWestland.

AW009 - Civilian-market form.