PZL-widnik SA, an AgustaWestland company, has unveiled the prototype of the SW-4 Solo Rotorcraft Unmanned Air System/Optionally Piloted Helicopter (RUAS/OPH) single engine rotorcraft at MSPO 2012 in Kielce, Poland.
The companies hope The SW-4 Solo, created through a collaboration of their engineering teams, will allow them to play a major role in a UAV sector which shows significant growth potential and market opportunities.
Unveiling the first ever Polish rotary-winged unmanned air system at MSPO 2012 demonstrate the leading role PZL-widnik SA is playing in the worlds rotorcraft industry,” said Nicola Bianco, managing director of PZL-widnik SA. “For our company, remote controlled and unpiloted airborne capabilities are becoming synonymous with the highest possible technology achievements in aeronautics.
The SW-4 Solo is designed to deliver maximum flexibility to operators thanks to the capability of performing both piloted and unmanned missions in land and maritime environments. In a RUAS configuration it can perform maritime, border and battlefield surveillance; target acquisition and reconnaissance; homeland security, environmental monitoring, ground survey and mapping, disaster / battle damage assessment and cargo supply.
As an optionally piloted platform, the helicopter is also suited for passenger transport and training with 1 + 4 crashworthy seats.
The SW-4 Solo can be fitted with a comprehensive mission equipment suite, incorporating surveillance sensors, communication/intelligence systems and armament.
The SW-4 RUAS prototype is expected to perform its maiden flight in a piloted configuration in the upcoming months while the first unmanned flight is expected to be performed in 2013.
