View source for PZL SW-4 Puszczyk

{{Short description|Polish light utility helicopter}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= SW-4 / AW009
 |image= File:SW-4 Puszczyk 5683.jpg
 |caption= SW-4 with the [[Polish Air Force]]
 |type=Multipurpose [[utility helicopter]]
 |national_origin =[[Poland]]
 |manufacturer=[[PZL-Świdnik]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight=29 October 1996
 |introduction=2002
 |retired=
 |status= In service
 |primary_user= [[Polish Armed Forces]]
 |more_users=
 |produced= 1996-Present
 |number_built=40<ref>[http://www.dedalonews.it/it/index.php/07/2010/la-prima-volta-di-pzl-swidnik-sotto-la-bandiera-agustawestland/ "La prima volta di PZL Swidnik sotto la bandiera AgustaWestland."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911002429/http://www.dedalonews.it/it/index.php/07/2010/la-prima-volta-di-pzl-swidnik-sotto-la-bandiera-agustawestland/ |date=2014-09-11 }}</ref>
 |unit cost= $1.3M (2016)<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.verticalmag.com/news/leonardo-provides-update-aw009/ |title= Leonardo provides update on AW009 |date= August 2, 2016 |author= Elan Head |magazine= Vertical}}</ref>
 |variants =
}}

The '''PZL SW-4 Puszczyk''' (en: [[tawny owl]]) is a Polish light single-engine multipurpose [[helicopter]] manufactured by [[PZL-Świdnik]]. Following a protracted development, the SW-4 entered service in 2002, the primary operator of the type has been the [[Polish Armed Forces]]. The SW-4 was further developed by PZL-Świdnik and corporate parent [[AgustaWestland]] into an [[optionally piloted vehicle]], the ''SW-4 Solo''. From 2016 onwards, the type has been marketed to civil operators as the ''AW009'', while the SW-4 designation is used for the military market.<ref name = "flight 009 expo"/>

==Development==

===Origins===
The design of the SW-4 helicopter originates from the 1960s, during which period it was decided against proceeding to production with the SW-4 due to demand for military helicopters from various nations within the [[Warsaw Pact]].<ref name = "certify 2002">Wastnage, Justin. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pzl-sw-4-prepares-for-certification-within-weeks-148603/ "PZL SW-4 prepares for certification within weeks"] ''Flight International'', 21 May 2002.</ref> Around 1981, development work at PZL-Swidnik was started on a new four/five place light utility helicopter.<ref name = "take off"/> The original design for the SW-4 called for it to be powered by a 300&nbsp;kW (400 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|shp]]) PZL Rzeszow GTD350 [[turboshaft]] engine, as featured upon the prototype mockup. According to PZL-Swidnik, the early SW-4 could reach the rated top speed of about 240&nbsp;km/h (130 [[knot (unit)|kn]]) and a max range with auxiliary fuel tank about 900&nbsp;km (485&nbsp;[[nautical mile|nmi]]).<ref name = "take off"/>

Following the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] and the subsequent European restructuring, predominantly those countries that had formerly been members of the Warsaw Pact, the emerging political climate had allowed PZL-Swidnik to redesign the SW-4 to make use of a new foreign-built powerplant, the Allison (now Rolls-Royce) Model 250 turboshaft engine, which was 13% more powerful while consuming 30% less fuel than the originally-intended GTD350 powerplant.<ref name = "take off"/> Other changes were made to the design, which ultimately bore little resemblance to its earlier form.<ref name = "take off"/> In 1995, the SW-4 project was formally re-launched and, in addition to the switch of power plant, the rotorcraft's design was substantially modified. Design alternations include the adoption of epoxy resin-based composite materials for the fuselage structure, further streamlining of the fuselage, and a revised tail and tail boom made primarily of aluminium.<ref name = "certify 2002"/>

[[File:Przyjęcie do SP SW-4 Puszczyk (6).jpg|thumb|SW-4 idling prior to takeoff, 2006]]
In December 1994, the project had proceeded to ground testing of a non-flying prototype. Subsequently, a pair of flight-capable prototypes were assembled to support the development program.<ref name = "certify 2002"/> The first prototype was planned to perform an initial flight in January 1995, however this was delayed due to vibration issues during engine runs.<ref name = "take off"/> On 26 October 1996, the SW-4 was reported as having performing its first flight; an official first flight was conducted on 29 October 1996.<ref name = "take off">Jeziorski, Andrzej. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sw-4-takes-off-10156/ "."] ''Flight International'', 17 November 1996.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=6C9gnEXgWzcC&pg=PA46 "Current Helicopter Programs."] ''[[Flying (magazine)|Flying]]'', February 2000. Vol. 127, No. 2. p. 46.</ref> By May 2002, the two prototypes had accumulated a total of 640 flight hours.<ref name = "certify 2002"/> PZL-Swidnik targeted US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) FAR Part 27 certification for the SW-4.<ref name = "take off"/> it was believed that the program should be capable of producing production models by 1999.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}

A decision to redesign the main rotor head resulted in considerable delays to the flight testing program; during this time, other changes were made to the rotorcraft, included the horizontal stabilizer being extended and improvements of the hydraulic systems.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} In 2002, the first production model SW-4, which was equipped with the Rolls-Royce engine, was approaching receipt of certification from the Polish civil aviation authority.<ref name = "certify 2002"/> Certification for use in other markets is to be made upon customer request, targeting a $700,000 price at the time.<ref name = "certify 2002"/> On 1 October 2002, serial production of the SW-4 formally began.<ref name = "serial start">Jaxa-Malakowski, Ryszard. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sw-4-five-seater-goes-into-series-production-155569/ "SW-4 five-seater goes into series production."] ''Flight International'', 1 October 2002.</ref> On 27 September 2007, type certification from the [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] (EASA) was received.<ref>[https://easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/EASA-TCDS-R.100_PZL_SW--4-06-07122011.pdf "EASA Type Certificate: Data Sheet - PZL SW-4."] ''EASA'', 7 December 2011.</ref> Following on from the certification of the Rolls-Royce model, PZL Swidnik pursued a separate re-certification for a modified SW-4 fitted with a [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200]] powerplant as an alternative option.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pzl-swidnik-set-to-re-engine-sw-4-helicopter-168489/ "PZL-Swidnik set to re-engine SW-4 helicopter."] ''Flight International'', 8 July 2003.</ref>

===Further development===
The SW-4 as planned was expected to fulfill a range of utility missions ranging from civil and executive transport to Medevac, police, border patrol duties and some of military pilot training tasks; however, for several years the Polish military had served as the type's only customer. In Polish service, 24 SW-4, with a military name Puszczyk, has been used as a training rotorcraft, replacing the [[Mil Mi-2]], at "The Center of Aviation Education and Training at Dęblin" (Ośrodek Szkolenia Lotniczego w Dęblinie).<ref name = "certify 2002"/><ref>[http://www.pzl.swidnik.pl/polish-air-force-to-purchase-sw-4/0,-13,1 "Polish Air Force to purchase SW-4."] ''PZL-Świdnik'', May 2002.</ref><ref name=lotnictwo2015>Bondaryk, Paweł. ''WSK "PZL-Świdnik" S.A. Krajobraz po przetargu'', "Lotnictwo Aviation International" Nr. 9/2015, p. 63 {{in lang|pl}}</ref>

In January 2004, [[Indonesian Aerospace]] (IAe) was in the process of negotiating a risk-sharing agreement to set up a local assembly line for the SW-4, dependent upon an order from the [[Indonesian National Police]].<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iae-targets-pzl-contract-176529/ "IAe targets PZL contract."] ''Flight International'', 20 January 2004.</ref>

In October 2005, PZL-Świdnik revealed that it was conducting talks with [[Rolls-Royce Holdings|Rolls-Royce]] over the prospective use of a more powerful variant of the SW-4's [[Allison Model 250|Model 250C20R]] powerplant; at the same point, it was publicly acknowledged that the development of a stretched, twin-engine development of the SW-4 was under active consideration, and that this would be dependent upon export sales of the present model.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/export-prospects-spur-pzl-swidnik-to-consider-sw-4-s-201911/ "Export prospects spur PZL-Swidnik to consider SW-4 stretch."] ''Flight International'', 4 October 2005.</ref> In February 2009, Rolls-Royce stated that it was holding talks with PZL-Świdnik on the prospective use of its newly developed [[Rolls-Royce RR500]] engine on future derivatives of the SW-4.<ref>Croft, John. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-2009-backlog-boosts-spirits-amid-dearth-o-323061/ "HELI-EXPO 2009: backlog boosts spirits amid dearth of new orders."] ''Flight International'', 25 February 2009.</ref>

[[File:SW-4 skorupa.JPG|thumb|left|SW-4 under construction, 2011]]
PZL-Świdnik's parent company, [[AgustaWestland]] chose to use the SW-4 as the basis for an optionally manned rotorcraft, the PZL-Świdnik SW-4 Solo. In 2011, development of an optionally-manned demonstrator began.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/as-the-croft-flies/2011/03/he11-agustawestland-developing-optionally-manned-demonstrator.html "AgustaWestland developing optionally manned demonstrator."] ''FlightGlobal'', March 2013.</ref> The SW-4 Solo was first was shown at the MSPO 2012 in Poland as "SW-4 Solo" RUAS/OPH platform (Rotorcraft Unmanned Air System/Optionally Piloted Helicopter).<ref>[http://www.pzl.swidnik.pl/pl/pzl-swidnik-prezentuje-po-raz-pierwszy-sw-4-solo-ruasoph/0,-g1,1 PZL-Świdnik prezentuje po raz pierwszy SW-4 „Solo” RUAS/OPH.] ''PZL-Świdnik'', September 2012.</ref><ref>Stephens, Ernie. [http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/military/unmanned/PZL-Takes-Wraps-Off-SW-4-Optionally-Piloted-Helicopter_77193.html#.VhrxLMuFNMM "PZL Takes Wraps Off SW-4 Optionally Piloted Helicopter."] ''Aviation Today'', 5 September 2012.</ref> In 2013, AgustaWestland was given a [[Royal Navy]] contract for the SW-4 Solo's development as part of the UK's RWUAS (Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System) Capability Concept Demonstrator (CCD) programme.<ref>http://gdziewojsko.wordpress.com/listy/sw-4/PZL SW-4 Puszczyk w Wojsku Polskim</ref> Development of the SW-4 Solo is also being supported by the [[Ministry of Defence (Italy)|Italian Ministry of Defence]]'s Directorate for Air Armaments under the Italian National Military Research Plan.<ref>[http://www.dgaa.it/newsletter/newsletter91/doc/sw4.pdf "Rotorcraft unmanned air System / optionally piloted helicopter."] ''dgaa.it'', Retrieved: 12 October 2015.</ref> By September 2015, the SW-4 Solo had performed a total of 26 demonstration flights, which included simulated shipboard integration tests.<ref>Stevenson, Beth. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dsei-agustawestland-reveals-results-of-royal-navy-r-416763/ "DSEI: AgustaWestland reveals results of Royal Navy RWUAS trials."] ''Flight International'', 15 September 2015.</ref> In November 2015, AgustaWestland stated that the SW-4 Solo was "ready for sale".<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dubai-agustawestland-debuts-sales-ready-unmanned-ro-418781/ "DUBAI: AgustaWestland debuts sales-ready unmanned rotorcraft."] ''Flight International'', 8 November 2015.</ref><ref>Donald, David and Thierry Dubois. [https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-11-09/pilot-optional-certain-missions "Pilot Is Optional For Certain Missions."] ''AIN Online'', 9 November 2015.</ref>

In 2006, PZL-Świdnik entered into an agreement with China's Jiujiang Hongying Technology Development Ltd. which aimed for the establishment of an SW4 assembly line in [[Jiujiang]], China. In December 2008, a type certification for the SW-4 was issued by the [[Civil Aviation Administration of China]].<ref>[http://www.pzl.swidnik.pl/pzl-sw-4-has-obtained-the-chinese-certification/0,-2k,1 "PZL SW-4 has obtained the Chinese certification."] ''PZL-Świdnik'', 30 December 2008.</ref> In late February 2010, the maiden flight of the first SW-4 to be co-produced in China took place;<ref>[http://slide.mil.news.sina.com.cn/slide_8_202_2959.html "Maiden Flight of SW4 Co-Produced in China."] ''news.sina.com.cn'', 26 February 2010.</ref> in the same month, PZL Swidnik announced an agreement to produce 150 helicopters, an unspecified number of which being the SW-4, were to be produced for the Chinese market at Jiujiang.<ref>"China to buy 150 helicopters from PZL Swidnik". ''Agence France-Press'', 27 February 2010.</ref> By March 2015, a total of five co-produced SW-4s had been delivered to Chinese customers.<ref name = "dist 2015">[http://aviation-times.aero/agustawestland-appoints-official-sw-4-distributor-in-china/ "AgustaWestland Appoints Official SW-4 Distributor in China."] ''Aviation Times'', 13 March 2015.</ref>

In February 2016, an upgraded model of the SW-4 for the civil market, designated as the ''AW009'', was revealed at [[Heli-Expo]]. Amongst the changes to this commercial variant include flight performance changes to provide for increased smoothness and greater control authority, the integration of a mass vibration absorber, the adoption of a Genesys Aerospace [[glass cockpit]] common to the larger [[AgustaWestland AW119 Koala]], [[hydraulic]] improvements, and an optional upgraded Model 250-C30R engine.<ref name = "flight 009 expo">Perry, Dominic. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-agustawestland-rebrands-sw-4-for-civil-ma-422545/ "HELI-EXPO: AgustaWestland rebrands SW-4 for civil market."] ''Flight International'', 1 March 2016.</ref><ref name = "vertical 009">[http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/AW009-introduced-as-competitive-commercial-light-single-helicopter "AW009 introduced as competitive commercial light single helicopter."] ''Vertical Magazine'', 2 March 2016.</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Krzesiny 120RB.JPG|thumb|PZL SW-4 #0203 of Polish Air Force]]

The SW-4 is powered by a single 335&nbsp;kW (450 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|shp]]) (283&nbsp;kW/380 shp max continuous rated) [[Allison Model 250|Rolls-Royce Model 250C20R/2]] [[turboshaft]] engine, which drives the rotorcraft's three-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor. An alternative engine is provided in the form of the 460&nbsp;kW (615 shp) [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200]]/9 turboshaft engine. The main rotor is fully articulated and the rotor blades on both the main and tail rotors are composed of composite materials. The SW-4 uses hydraulic flight controls, the rotorcraft has been promoted as possessing excellent flight controls, and can be flown in both day and night [[visual flight rules]] conditions.<ref name="AW Brochure">[http://www.agustawestland.com/documents/17633750/23471356/body_SW_4.pdf "SW-4."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010182649/http://www.agustawestland.com/documents/17633750/23471356/body_SW_4.pdf |date=2015-10-10 }} ''AgustaWestland'', Retrieved: 12 October 2015.</ref>

The SW-4 is capable of transporting up to five people, including a pilot, in crashworthy seats; passengers are provided with a high level of external visibility and comfort, an optional vibration absorption system is also offered.<ref name = "AW Brochure"/> The main cabin can be rapidly reconfigured between passenger and cargo-carrying configurations and is accessed via two sliding doors on either side of the cabin, a dedicated baggage compartment is also present beneath the main cabin.<ref name = "dist 2015"/> PZL- Świdnik stated that multi-role operations had been a high priority during the SW-4's development; and that the rotorcraft is well-suited to passenger transport, primary and advanced training, patrol and surveillance missions.<ref name = "AW Brochure"/>

Various optional equipment can be installed, such as removable co-pilot flight controls, [[wire strike protection system]], a [[forward looking infrared]] (FLIR) sensor system, [[instrument flight rules]] (IFR) training fittings, radio altimeter, emergency medical system, moving map, external loudspeakers and/or search light, flotation gear, and an external cargo sling. Much of the external equipment is designed to be held on external extension arms; overall, the SW-4 can mount/carry a useful payload of up to nearly 600 kilograms.<ref name = "dist 2015"/><ref name = "AW Brochure"/> Both basic and advanced trainer variants of the SW-4 have been developed to conform with [[NATO]] standards and military pilot training regulations, it is promoted as possessing a high level of inherent flight stability and safety; the advanced model is compatible with [[night vision|night vision goggles]] (NVG) and is equipped with an emergency simulation unit.<ref name = "AW Brochure"/>

==Operators==
'''Military operators'''
;{{POL}}
*[[Polish Air Force]]<ref name="WORLD AIR FORCES 2013">{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/emptys/101015/world-air-forces-2013.pdf |title = World Air Forces 2013 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |date= 2013 |access-date= 15 February 2013}}</ref>

==Specifications (SW-4)==
[[File:ILA 2010 Samstag 089.JPG|thumb|SW-4 on static display, 2010]]
[[File:Cockpit of SW-4 Puszczyk, Radom 2007.JPG|thumb|Flight controls of a SW-4, 2007]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=AgustaWestland<ref name = "AW Brochure"/>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|capacity=4 passengers
|length m=10.57
|length note=
|height m=3.05
|height note=
|empty weight kg=1050
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=1600
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=1800
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce 250-C20R/2]]
|eng1 type=[[turboshaft]] engine
|eng1 kw=336
|eng1 note=

|rot number=1
|rot dia m=9
|rot area sqm=64
|rot area note=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=260
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=790
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=5200
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=10.3
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|disk loading kg/m2=25
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.21|kW/kg}}
|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=

|similar aircraft=
* [[Bell 505 Jet Ranger X]]
* [[Bell 206]]
* [[Cicaré CH-14]]
* [[Eurocopter EC120 Colibri]]
* [[Schweizer 333]]
* [[MD Helicopters MD 500]]

|lists=
* [[List of rotorcraft]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|SW-4}}
* [http://militarypedia.corran.pl/wiki/PZL_SW-4_Puszczyk_w_Wojsku_Polskim List of all SW-4 helicopters used by Polish Air Force]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050209040152/http://www.pzl.swidnik.pl/AN2000/04_SW4/2116_p_sw4opis.htm Description on manufacturer's page]
* [http://www.helicopter-database.net SW-4 Production list, Program history]
* [http://www.helicopter-database.net/photo.php SW-4 Photo gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103170633/http://www.helicopter-database.net/photo.php |date=2019-01-03 }}

{{AgustaWestland aircraft}}
{{PZL aircraft}}

[[Category:1990s Polish helicopters]]
[[Category:1990s Polish civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:1990s Polish military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:PZL aircraft|SW-4]]
[[Category:Single-turbine helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1996]]
[[Category:Single-rotor helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with skid landing gear]]