Ordered 8 W-3A units for its Combat Utility Helicopter (CUH) requirement in 2010 at a contract of more than $64 Million, The 1st 4 units were received in February of 2012 with the last 4 scheduled for delivery on the 2nd quarter of 2012
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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday disclosed the arrival of four brand new Combat Utility Helicopters from the Augusta PZL Swidik of Italy and Poland on February 14, 2012.
The PAF hierarchy said the brand new helicopters arrived at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, and is the first batch of the eight helicopters that the PAF is to receive from the Polish aircraft manufacturer.
Major General Catalino G. Dela Cruz, PAF Commanding General, said the delivery of the new helicopters is a welcome addition to the fleet of the PAF.
He said that the formal blessing and turnover of the PAF’s newest acquisition will be announced following the completion of assembly and rigid test flights to be conducted on the new helicopters.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ernesto G. Okol, PAF Public Information Office director, the “Sokol” or Falcon in Polish, can be fitted with various equipment – depending on the mission – that makes it an ideal utility helicopter for the PAF.
It is NVG (Night Vision Goggle)-capable and is equipped with an SN 350 Autopilot, he added.
Compared to the Huey helicopters, he said the “Sokol” is a more capable utility platform.
Okol explained that while the Huey can carry only seven passengers, the “Sokol” can accommodate 10 passengers with a maximum takeoff weight of 14,110 pounds, an endurance of three hours and 19 minutes, and it can reach a maximum range of 402 nautical miles in a single flight, with airspeed of about 140.5 knots.
The “Sokol” is fitted with gun mounts for the M60D MG on both sides, and when utilized during search and rescue (SAR) or over water operations, it can be equipped with pilot-controlled Emergency Floatation Gear attached to the lowest portion of the aircraft.
It can also perform various missions other than combat to support the country’s peace and development efforts.
“The CUH project is worth P2.8 billion, and has undergone the rigid screening process prior to its procurement,” Okol said.
good work Pnoy! fly high Phil air force. please take good care of these assets
ReplyDeletecorrect! Go Philippines, we're still behind a good leap, but we can still make it to the top again. During the 70's we're the only nation in SEasia to own a fighter jet. but f5 was finally decommissioned last 1995. We need a new fighter plane like f16...
ReplyDeletenice move...one at a time Pnoy...kudos..making our country safe and secured
ReplyDeleteIt is about time that we upgrade our Air Force and give our pilots some moral boosts. These vehicles will be very useful in various purpose, air defense and rescue operation,It is really a worthy investment.
ReplyDeleteI hope our intillegent procurement officers choosed F-18 Super Hornets as primary jet fighter! Attack helicopter must be eurocopter tiger or augusta from italy
ReplyDeleteGood job pinoy!..US already approved the 1 squadron of F-16's B/C last april 19,2012 and the delivery of 3rd cutter class frigates! good job by our defense officials for constant follow up..and the 2nd cutter class might arrive by May 2012..and our Multi-Role Ships is under construction already by Indonesian Ship building company is other way than can carry marines,helicopters,Landing Craft and etc..Good Job pinoy! were proud of making a steps in improving our defense of our beloved country..we must be a strong republic and strong economy..After the arrival of F-16's we must get a squadron of F-18's super hornet or a Euro Fighter or a Russian top multi role fighter as russian already stretch their support to us in claiming our part in the wesdt philippine seas..
ReplyDeletesana tuloy tuloy na ito para hindi tayo mamaliitin ng ibang bansa
ReplyDelete